With that familiar fall chill in the air comes one of our favorite times of year, dahlia season. While dahlias first become available in mid to late summer, their popularity surges every autumn. Dahlias are found in a wide variety of colors and bloom shapes and have one of the longest seasons as they are available until the first frost. As brides, celebrants, and corporate clients turn their focus from light, airy, ethereal flowers to arrangements full of structure and texture, it is dahlias’ time to shine.

Before asking for a bouquet full of dahlias, read about a few of our favorites shapes and varieties below.

Cactus Dahlias

Cactus dahlias are known for their quill-like petals that create a spike appearance, like that of a cactus needle. Their blooms come in a variety of sizes and are most notable for their star-like heads. The cactus dahlias’ starburst blooms can be found in a number of colors including vivid hues, like the bright red Doris Day, as well as pastels, like the pale lemon yellow Weston Miss.

Decorative Dahlias

Decorative dahlias feature broad flat-tipped petals which can be spaced evenly, in the case of formal decorative dahlias, or spaced irregularly, in the case of informal decorative dahlias. For bouquets and arrangements, we recommend the perfectly spaced and densely packed formal decorative dahlias. Some of our favorite decorative varieties include the apricot hued David Howard, the Eveline dahlia with its creamy white petals and soft lilac center and tips, and the yellow Kelvin Floodlight. The Kelvin Floodlight is considered one of the largest dahlias which makes it a beloved dinnerplate dahlia, but more about that later.

Ball and Pompon Dahlias

True to their names, ball and pompon dahlias have distinctive globe-shaped blooms. Their petals are blunt or slightly rounded at the tips and are arranged in a mesmerizing swirl pattern. Stunning ball and pompon dahlias include the rounded lushly packed blooms of the pale salmon-pink Jowey Winnie, the flatter soft lavender Megan Dean, and moody Dark Spirit. Dark Spirit dahlias are a dark, almost black, burgundy and are perfect for fall inspired arrangements.

Single Dahlias

Single, Collarette, Anemone, and Mignon dahlias are all considered single flower varieties. They feature a single row of petals which can be flat or slightly cupped. These dahlias are incredibly stunning and impactful. Their large eye catching petals can be found in gorgeous color combinations including the Happy Single First Love with its apricot-pink petals and vibrant red ring around deep brown centers, the Mystic Spirit with soft creamy blush peach petals and dark mahogany centers, and the crisp white Twyning’s After Eight with warm yellow-orange centers.

Dinnerplate Dahlias

Dinnerplate dahlias are our favorite of all the stunning dahlias. They are named for their impressive luxe plate-sized blooms. These showstopping flowers are not an official class of dahlias. They are a collection of varieties notable for their size and impact. Some dinnerplate blossoms have the traditional cupped petal shape like the pale pink Café au Lait and deep purple-red Thomas Edison. Café au Lait dahlias are the most beloved and requested bridal dahlia. Their massive creamy pinky beige blooms fit perfectly into bridal bouquets, reception centerpieces, and ceremony flowers. They are the ideal combination of traditional light bridal colors and lush mesmerizing texture. Other dinnerplate dahlias have more exotic petals like the twisted petals of the Taihejo dahlia, the quilled Avignon, and the twisted shaggy Penhill Dark Monarch dahlia. Dinnerplate dahlias have unmatched impact and beauty.