Jolene (aka Cafe au Lait Mini) – A Wedding-Ready Favorite
If you're a fan of Cafe au Lait but wish she were just a bit more manageable, meet Jolene... a compact, creamy-blush dahlia that brings all the romance with a little less drama. Known by some as Cafe au Lait Mini, Jolene features blooms in soft shades ranging from ivory to pearly buff to a subtle pink-peach, depending on conditions. The color variation is dreamy, the bloom size is practical, and the vibes are straight-up wedding magic.
This informal decorative dahlia has strong, straight stems and a more compact growth habit, making it easier to work with in both the field and floral design. Jolene plays especially well in bridal work—offering that iconic Cafe au Lait palette in a smaller, more bouquet-friendly package. Plus, it holds well in the vase and pumps out reliable, uniform blooms all season long.
Jolene, sometimes marketed as ‘Cafe au Lait Mini’, appears to have emerged from a tuber line originally labelled as Cafe au Lait, but which produced consistently smaller blooms and stronger stems. Some growers describe the origin as a mis‑labelling event, and acknowledge that Jolene is not genetically identical to the original Cafe au Lait cultivar. Regardless of the origin, the result is a highly usable, bouquet‑friendly dahlia with the cream/blush tones of Cafe au Lait in a more manageable size.
Because the cultivar appears to have entered the market via informal propagation rather than a formal breeding release, exact introduction data and breeder information are unavailable.
Whether you're designing for weddings or just love a clean, romantic bloom, Jolene is a must-grow.
