Dahlia varieties: international classification, description of species and characteristics with photo

Breeders from many countries of the world are working on the creation of new varieties of dahlias, there are already several tens of thousands of them. Flower growers use classifiers to navigate this variety of colors. When choosing a variety, they resort to the help of the international classification (IDR) or are limited to a simplified version.

General description of dahlias

The first description of the culture is dated 1791. Antonio Cavanilles named this plant variety Dahlia. The genus received its current name, dahlias, in Russia. They were brought to our country in 1803.

The genus of spray dahlias belongs to the Astrov family. In nature, a herbaceous perennial grows in Central America. In winter, the soil does not freeze there, therefore, during the dormant period, the aerial part dies off, the tubers hibernate without problems.

In the temperate climate of Russia, dahlia tubers are dug up for the winter and planted in the spring.The stems of the plant are hollow inside, smooth outside. Their height depends on the species, it can reach 2-2.5 m. The leaves are pinnate, paired with serrated edges and pointed ends.

Dahlia flower is an inflorescence-basket, consisting of several elements:

• marginal reed flowers;
• fruitful tubular flowers;
• inflorescence bed;
• wrappers;
• pedicels.

The color of the petals is distinguished by a wide variety of shades. After flowering, fruits are formed - achenes. Seeds remain viable for 2-3 years. In floriculture, perennial and annual varieties are popular.

What color are they?

When drawing up garden compositions, color plays a big role. Plants with dark flowers are planted in the foreground, and with light flowers in the back. For your garden, you can choose a variety of dahlias of any color.

White

For lovers of the classics, varieties with white flowers are suitable. At night, the garden with snow-white flower beds illuminated by lanterns looks amazing. White Perfection is considered a classic. The size of the snow-white baskets reaches 20 cm. The bushes are tall - 1.1 m.

Short White Star is suitable for borders and borders. Bushes 0.6 m high in July are covered with snow-white baskets (diameter 15 cm). Petals needle-shaped, reed. White Star blooms until cold weather.

Dahlia Boom Boom White pleases with regular spherical inflorescences resembling white balls. The middle of the flower has a light cream shade. Flowers diameter 10 cm, bush height 0.9 m. Boom Boom White blooms from June to October.

Yellow

Yellow is needed to set the mood in the garden. He calms, sets up for serious work. Popular varieties with yellow flower heads:

1. Grand Prix. High bushes - 1 m. Terry baskets, large - 25 cm.
2. Pinto. Dahlia from the group of midgets. It is used as a container culture. Grown on the balcony. The height of the bushes does not exceed 35 cm. Bright yellow baskets with a diameter of 10 cm look especially impressive on them.
3. Encore. Cactus-like variety with double large inflorescences (20 cm) 0.9-1.2 m high.

Reds

The red color in the garden helps a person to focus on solving serious problems. It invigorates, increases activity. You can create a bright spot with red dahlias. Among them, the Apache dahlia deserves special attention.

She has massive, tall bushes (0.9-1 m), double inflorescences, consisting of bright red needle-like flowers, the diameter of which reaches 15 cm.

The variety Garner Wonder is striking in its beauty. This is a decorative dahlia with maroon-red spherical baskets, their diameter does not exceed 15 cm. The height of the bush is 0.7-1 m.

Pink

Pink goes well with all shades of green. Pink dahlias are appropriate in a romantic garden. Choosing a variety with pink inflorescences is easy. Here are three representatives of different species:

• Sandra (spherical);
• Princess Park (cactus);
• Jewel Pink (pompom).

Purple

Purple should be in moderation. It creates a feeling of we alth. The Figaro variety Violet Shades from the Figaro Mix series impresses with the luxury of purple-crimson flowers.Dahlia bushes are low (35 cm), they are used to decorate borders, planted in the forefront of flower beds. In a sunny place, Figaro blooms until late autumn. The annual dahlia is propagated by seeds.

Orange

Psychotherapists believe that orange improves mood. It's nice to have an antidepressant flower bed with orange dahlia bushes in the garden. For this purpose, the Dutch variety Maxim is suitable. It has recently entered the market.

The color of small baskets (10-15 cm) is bright, orange-red with a yellow border. They decorate flower beds and bouquets. For lovers of bright colors, the Babylon Bronze dahlia from the Babylon variety series is suitable.

Lilac

Monochrome composition can be created from lilac dahlias. Variety My dream strikes with delicate lilac inflorescences with slightly twisted petals. Varieties are suitable for a lilac flower bed:

• Lila;
• Purple Pearl;
• Lilac night.

Burgundy

Burgundy dahlias look luxurious in a bouquet and in a flower bed. In compositions, they go well with the colors of orange, red, purple, bright yellow. Varieties of interest:

• Black Prince;
• Arabian Knight;
• Flight;
• Karma Shock.

Classification of dahlias

It is difficult to navigate in a huge number of varieties, so flower growers divide them into groups. For classification, characteristics are used: the size and shape of the inflorescence, the height of the bush.

Group by inflorescence size

All types of dahlias are divided into 5 groups according to the diameter of the inflorescences. The smallest baskets do not exceed 10 cm, while the largest reach 30 cm.

Giant

Basket size 25 cm or more. Care for these varieties is special. In order for the inflorescences to reach the required size, side shoots and lower leaves are removed from the leaf axils.

Large

For large-flowered dahlias, such as Dana, Vancouver, Kelvin, the average height of the bush (1-1.2 m) and large baskets with a diameter of 20.3-25.4 cm are typical.

Average

Varieties with baskets from 15 to 20 cm belong to the group of medium-sized inflorescences. They are in great demand among flower growers. They are planted in 1 or 2 rows, forming a hedge, they cover nondescript garden structures and fences. Varieties available for the new collection:

• Lucky;
• Edinburgh;
• Akita;
• Madame Pic.

Small

Unpretentious varieties with small baskets 10-15 cm are no less relevant. There are excellent small dahlias of domestic and Dutch selection on sale. In beauty, they are not inferior to large-flowered dahlias.

Petite

Dahlias mini are adorable. They decorate balconies, loggias, terraces. Compact bushes strewn with small baskets (less than 10 cm) beautifully frame garden paths and flower beds. Variety Vancouver with miniature inflorescences is popular with flower growers.

Height grouping

Classification of varieties according to the height of the bush is very important for flower growers. Professionals to create a flower garden carry out accurate calculations, build drawings. Amateurs proceed from varietal characteristics and the recommended planting pattern.

Tall curbs

Tall dahlias with bushes above 1.2 m are planted in mixborders, rabatka, tapeworms. They are planted in the center of the flower bed, near the hedge. This group of plants needs support during flowering.

Medium curbstones

Medium-sized varieties of dahlias with bushes 0.8-1 m high. The most popular varieties of this group:

• Kelvin Floodlight with large (30 cm) yellow baskets;
• Genova, its inflorescences (15 cm) are painted lavender;
• Flowering Yellow Gill with brown-red baskets (15 cm).

Short curb

Low bushes up to 60 cm high and dwarf dahlias (20-40 cm) are grown in flowerbeds and containers. The Dutch variety series Gallery is represented by 19 dwarf varieties with terry baskets of yellow, lilac, salmon color. Noteworthy series:

• Melody;
• Mignon;

Flowerbeds

Undersized species are planted along the edge of the flower beds: pompoms and annuals, propagated by seeds. Summer residents plant old popular varieties, such as Merry Fellows, in flower beds. New items with densely double and semi-double inflorescences of different shades are suitable for a collection flower bed:

• Claire de Luna;
• Myrtle Folly;
• Table Dancer.

Lilliputians

The Liliput Dahilas group combines low-growing varieties, in which the height of the stems does not exceed 30 cm. Dahlia flowers of this group have a different shape. Lilliput varieties are popular with gardeners. Compact bushes decorate the borders of park paths, flower beds, flowerbeds.

International classification of dahlias

In 1962, botanists from around the world gathered in Brussels to determine common ways of classifying. In 1969 the classifier was published. He is acting now. New varieties are entered after registration with the RNS (International Registrar).

Simple

Inflorescences are not double, 10 cm in diameter. Petals are arranged in 1 row. The height of the bushes is 0.7 m. Plants of the Sihgle-flowered group bloom profusely throughout the summer. They are usually propagated by seeds. Simple dahlias are used to decorate the foreground.

Anemones

Anemone-flowered varieties are disease resistant and very decorative. The shape of terry (semi-double) inflorescences resemble garden anemones. The petals of the middle part are tubular. They are surrounded by 1-3 rows of marginal petals. Bushes come in different heights - from 0.3 m to 0.8 m.

Collar

The inflorescences of Collerette Dahlias dahlias have a pronounced, convex core surrounded by petals arranged in 2 rows:

• outer large;
• short inner.

The diameter of the inflorescence baskets is 15 cm, the height of the bush is 1 m.

Pionoid

Semi-double baskets of peony perennials are formed by several rows of oval large petals. They surround a central yellow disc of small size. The diameter of the baskets is 10-20 cm, the bushes reach a height of 0.6-1.2 m.

Decorative

Representatives of this group have 2 types of petals. There are varieties of Decorative Dahlias with regular, flat petals with rounded tips and others with wavy, as if deformed. In diameter, terry inflorescences reach 10-20 cm, bushes grow up to 1-1.5 m.

Globular

The diameter of baskets in spherical varieties is 10-20 cm. Terry baskets are similar in shape to a ball. Petals of dahlias of the Ball Dahlias group are twisted by 50-75% of their length.

Pom pom

Bushes 0.3-1.2 m high are covered with large leaves. Baskets look like a slightly flattened ball, they are small - up to 7 cm. All petals are the same length and are twisted into tubes. Low-growing varieties of Pompon Dahlias make out borders. Medium-sized forms are used in group garden plantings.

Cactus

Terry-type inflorescences, needle-shaped, 7-35 cm in diameter. Narrow petals are twisted for most of the length (65%). They are either straight, like Alain Mimoun, or curved, like Sarah Mae. Bushes of cactus-like (Cactus Dahlias) dahlias are tall. Shoots grow up to 1.2-1.8 m.

Semi-cactus

The Semi-Cactus group includes forms that have characteristics similar to other species (decorative, cactus). The baskets are densely doubled, in cross section from 5 to 25 cm. They consist of petals wide, pointed, twisted by 25-50% of the length. Plants of the Semi-Cactus group reach a height of 0.4-1.3 m.

Nymphaeals

There are more than a thousand varieties in the group of nymph (Waterlily Dahlias). All of them have lotus-shaped inflorescences, terry type. They are of the correct shape, outwardly resembling a water lily flower. Size 10-25 cm. Height of nymph varieties 0.9-1.2 m.

Mixed

Miscellaneous includes rare forms with no commercial interest. In amateur gardens, they are often found. Varieties from the mixed group delight flower growers with spectacular flowering, they are divided into 4 varieties:

• star-shaped;
• chrysanthemum;
• orchid;
• peony.

Popular varieties

Various dahlias with different characteristics of bushes and inflorescences are in demand among flower growers. A description of the best varieties will facilitate the selection. The selection includes plants of different classification groups. All suitable for cutting.

Spartacus Bohemian

Tall (1.5 m) variety from the group of decorative dahlias. Spartacus blooms in July, flowering lasts until frost. This is a perennial, it forms impressive inflorescences - 25-30 cm. The petals have an original color: bright yellow stripes on a cherry background.

Fleur

Fleur is the best variety in the Waterlily Dahlias group. Grow it for cutting. The plant is tall, the length of the stems is 1.2 m. The type of inflorescences is terry, the size is 25 cm. The petals have a snow-white color. The plant blooms on July 10-15.

Maxi

This is a variety series, it includes tall (1-1.2 m) cactus, semi-cactus decorative varieties with the same flowering time, falling on July-September. The series includes spectacular varieties with large inflorescences (30 cm). Dahlias Maxi are designed for flower beds, flowerbeds.

Hake

Dahlia Merluza is included in the decorative group, its height is 1 m. It has lush, terry baskets with a diameter of 15 cm, consisting of yellow twisted petals with red tips. Merluza variety blooms from July to September.

Red Pigmy

Semi-cactus variety. Perennial blooms from July to October. The color of the baskets is red, the size is 10-12 cm, the peduncles are good for cutting. Red Pigmy bushes are low (0.3-0.4 m), they decorate balconies, patios, planted in flower beds and pots.

Joan of Arc

Cactus variety 1.2 m high. The middle is pale yellow, the feathery petals are lavender pink. Baskets are medium, up to 18 cm in diameter. The variety will decorate the garden, it is recommended to plant it in flower beds. Peduncles are used in making bouquets.

Gloria

Tall variety of cactus dahlias. The height of Gloria is 1.4 m. The variety is old (1964), bred in Germany. The diameter of graceful baskets is 15-20 cm. The color of the petals is pink.

Mignon

Propagated by seeds. Flowering continues from July 10-15 until October. Mignon is a series of low dahlias (0.45 m) of different colors - from white to lilac. Garden beds are decorated with compact bushes, they are grown in pots on the loggia.

Changeable

This is a mixture of seeds of several types of dahlia (cactus, pompon). Plants of this series bloom from August 10-15 until cold weather.

Aloha

Cactus variety. The height of the Aloha dahlia is 0.8-1 m. The type of baskets is terry, they are large with long, narrow petals of a bright yellow color, with the tips of a fiery red hue. The variety blooms profusely, until frost.

Duet

This is an American variety. It is considered decorative. He was taken out in 1955. It has medium (16 cm) brightly colored baskets with dark cherry petals. They are white at the ends. The bushes are tall (1.1 m).

Almandz Joy

Almandz Joy flower stalks are suitable for cutting. Pale purple flowers are a great decoration for a bouquet. Terry baskets are large (30 cm). Almandz Joy is used in group garden compositions. The height of the bush is average - 0.9 m.

Mystery Day

Decorative variety with large (16-20 cm) terry baskets. The background color is burgundy, the tips of the flat petals are white. The bushes have a sprawling shape, average height (0.8 m). Blooms from July until frost.

Fricolet

Dutch cactus species with bushes 1-1.2 m tall and bright scarlet baskets. Petals are narrow, needle-shaped. They have white strokes on a bright scarlet background. The size of the Fricolet baskets is 10-15 cm. Flowers bloom in July.

Arabian Night

Effective wine-red baskets with a diameter of 15 cm. Bushes (0.8-1 m) are covered with large feathery leaves. Powerful flower stalks are good for cutting. The variety is widely used in landscape design. Arabian night dahlia serves as a decoration for discounts, group compositions.

Zoe Rae

Plant height 1.1-1.2 m. Zoe Ray is an ornamental variety of dahlias. Inflorescences-baskets are vanilla-yellow with purple edging of the petals. Basket diameter 15-20 cm. Flowering continues from July to September.

Kenora Macob

1-1.2 m tall bushes covered with small dark green leaves. In July, dark red flowers bloom on them, their diameter is 15-18 cm. Kenora Macob is an ornamental variety that blooms until frost.

In the garden, you need to plant several dahlia bushes with baskets of different colors and shapes. Their long flowering will delight until late autumn.

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