When it comes to dahlias, not all are created equal—especially if your goal is a steady supply of cut flowers with long stems, sturdy blooms, and vase-worthy looks. As someone who grows dahlias for cutting (and not just for prettiness in the garden), I’ve trialed hundreds of varieties. Some earned their place as reliable favorites, while others… let’s just say they didn’t make the cut.
If you’re diving into the world of dahlias for cut flowers, here’s everything you need to know to pick the winners.
What Makes a Good Dahlia for Cutting?
Not every dahlia is cut out (pun intended) to be a star in the vase. Here are the traits I look for:
- Sturdy Stems: No one likes floppy blooms. Strong stems are a must to hold up those big, gorgeous flowers.
- Long Stems: Most dahlias I grow hit 4-6 feet tall, producing stems long enough for bouquets. Forget the shorter varieties bred for bedding!
- Vase Life: Ball dahlias tend to win this category with their tight petals and long-lasting blooms.
- Sturdy Petals: Delicate petals that bruise easily? Hard pass.
- Color Versatility: Muted or soft colors are better for floral design, though some bold shades have their place too.
Top Dahlias for Cut Flowers
Here are the heavy hitters that deliver in the field and the vase:
Ball Dahlias (Long Vase Life Champions)
- Copper Boy: Rouged copper with hints of pink and super productive. Copper Boy dazzles with blooms in a rich, burnt copper hue, accented by hints of chocolate and a touch of rosy warmth in the heat.
-
Jowey Mirella: A deep, rich, red wine with fringed edges… muah- Chef’s kiss. Welcome to the texture party! Jowey Mirella’s blooms are full of rich, deep tones that add bold drama to your garden and arrangements. Its lush, layered petals make every flower a standout.
-
Jowey Winnie: Perfectly pink without being too pink and she goes with everything. The stunning, spherical blooms come in a the best ever shade of classic dusty rose. It’s a color that pops without overpowering, blending beautifully in arrangements.
Decorative Dahlias (For Drama and Size)
-
Snoho Doris is like a summer sunset captured in a flower. With its stunning mix of coral, peach, and apricot hues, this award-winning ball dahlia is as versatile as it is beautiful. Whether it’s in your garden, a bouquet, or a wedding arrangement, Snoho Doris always delivers.
-
Rip City: Introduced in 1994, 'Rip City' is a garden favorite with its deep, velvety burgundy petals and subtle maroon highlights. This medium-sized plant delivers long, sturdy stems that are a dream to cut for arrangements. Whether you're crafting a dramatic bouquet or enjoying it in the garden, these blooms bring bold color and a touch of mystery to any setting.
-
Peaches n’ Cream: Early blooming with a dreamy peachy-pink hue and delicate petals. A true southern charmer, Peaches ‘N’ Cream thrives even in the heat, making it a Fuirk favorite.
-
Wine Eyed Jill Yellow: Wine Eyed Jill YELLOW enchants with a light blend of blush and buttery hued petals and a striking burgundy center. Her delicate hues shift slightly with the weather, giving her blooms a dynamic, ever-changing charm.
-
Natalie G: Hands down, Natalie G is one of my favorite dahlias. She is not ball form like many suggest, but he is close. Her blooms in soft sherbet tones—melon pink with occasional lavender hues—are impossible not to love. You can’t help but smile every time you see her.
-
Maya: ‘Maya’ is a compact dahlia with a big personality, boasting 5” creamy blooms with soft salmon, peach, pink, and pale yellow. Think glowing champagne petals with delicate blush tips—a look that’s as dreamy as it sounds. If you love ‘Castle Drive,’ you’ll adore ‘Maya.’ With similar romantic vibes but her own unique charm.
- Maarn (Sylvia): The best orange dahlia I’ve grown—cheerful, productive, and versatile. Also known as Maarn, but we prefer to to call her by her other name, Sylvia... she dazzles with a range of warm, glowing tangerine hues. Each bloom seems to capture the essence of a golden sunset, making it a standout in gardens and arrangements alike.
Unique Favorites
-
Nadia Ruth: Blush and buttercream blooms with feathery form. Whether in a cutting garden or as a focal point in your landscape, Nadia Ruth’s ethereal color palette and unique petal details bring texture and whimsy wherever it grows.
Newer Favorites (That May Be Harder to Find)
Sometimes newer dahlia releases can feel impossible to track down. If you’ve been in the dahlia world for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard the terms “unicorns” and “dahlia wars.” For the uninitiated, unicorns are those ultra-popular, highly coveted dahlia varieties that send buyers into a frenzy. And yes, the stories you’ve heard are true—there are people who would fight you in a Cracker Barrel parking lot on a Sunday afternoon for a single tuber or cutting of their unicorn dahlia.
Some dahlias can spark actual “wars” in the community, and the resulting behavior can range somewhere between rabid squirrel and unhinged possum (I'm an expert on this particular subject). It’s one of the many reasons we’ve had to put a Customer Conduct Policy in place (you can only see so many tuber tantrums before taking action).
All of the varieties on this listed below are unicorns or have held unicorn status recently. And while the hype might make them hard to find, we’re committed to growing them for the long haul. Why? Because they’re not just beautiful—they’re also hardworking, reliable, and worth every bit of the fuss.
A Few Tips for Success
1. Cut Deep: Harvest stems 18-24 inches down to encourage new growth and maximize long stems.
2. Don’t Judge Too Quickly: Some dahlias take 2-3 seasons to settle into your climate.
3. Keep Expectations Realistic: Dahlias are “event flowers” with a vase life of 3-5 days—not a full week like roses or zinnias.
Why Ball Dahlias Are My Go-To
Ball-shaped dahlias consistently outperform other bloom types when it comes to vase life and reliability. Their tight petals make them less prone to bruising, and their compact form holds up better in arrangements.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re growing for bouquets, weddings, or just to enjoy in your own home, these varieties have proven themselves season after season. And if you’re new to dahlias, start with the trusty Jowey Winnie or Maarn—you’ll be hooked in no time.
Want to add these dahlias to your garden? Join our email list to find out when our tubers are available if they aren’t showing in our dahlia shop.