It’s the perfect time to admire these bright, vibrant flowers in all their glory.
London gardener Thomas Rutter has outlined his top five dahlias for summer. Dahlias are hardy and stand out from the rest of the garden’s summer favourites. After centuries of hybridisation, there are thousands of varieties to choose from and one to suit every soil type. There are dahlias perfect for pots, dahlias for raised beds and dahlias to brighten up large garden borders.
The wide range of colours, sizes and shapes of dahlias means you can find a flower to suit your personal taste as well as the conditions of your garden. You can choose the traditional pompon shape, one of the water lily varieties or perhaps something more subtle but no less stunning.
Many gardeners grow dahlias for their bright, bold summer colors. Some people also grow them because they are great for the cutting garden. Their colorful flowers look great in flower arrangements.
Dahlias can bring so much joy from summer until the first frost, so why not invest in a flower or two for some late summer magic? These five flowers are my top picks for this summer.
‘Verrone’s Obsidian’ is a unique star-shaped dahlia with inwardly curled petals. Its deep red (almost obsidian black) contrasts with the yellow center. The nectar-filled heart of this star will amaze both human and insect visitors.
Pair ‘Verrone’s Obsidian’ with ornamental grasses and large-leafed perennials. This variety prefers full sun and humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soil.
Find your plant at Crocus
This anemone dahlia blooms in a unique way. The striking double yellow flowers are surrounded by creamy white single petals. Like the egg, ‘Toto’ is smaller than some other dahlias, reaching around 40cm tall, but is no less striking.
Dahlia ‘Toto’ grows well in the front of borders or in pots. With plenty of water and fertilizer, this variety will flower until fall. Plant in full or partial sun in moist, well-drained soil.
Beautiful and Dahlia merckii fragile has small, single flowers with a pale pink tinge. This variety originates from Mexico, but has proven hardy in the UK.
Flowers bloom from mid-summer to late autumn on stems up to 1.5m tall. Plant Dahlia merckii in a spacious area so it doesn’t take over. Place in full sun, in well-drained, fertile soil. A deep layer of mulch will provide enough protection throughout the winter.
Find your plant at Crocus
This stunning two-tone dahlia is the star of the summer. Pale pink petals have raspberry backings, creating an eye-catching display.
This variety works well with hardy perennials of contrasting colour to create a dazzling display of fireworks. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil, although ‘Crème de Cassis’ will tolerate some shade.
Find your plant at Crocus
This prolific dahlia blooms with striking peach and rust orange flowers – one of the signature colors of summer.
Combine with other dark-foliaged perennials for a unique, dramatic display. ‘Totally Tangerine’ blooms best in full sun but will tolerate light shade. Ensure the soil does not dry out and cut back dead ends to encourage continuous blooms until the first frost.
Find your plant at Crocus
