Discover the finest cactus dahlias

Cactus-flowered dahlia

Cactus Dahlias, classic cottage garden plants, offer abundant and spectacular flowering from July until the first frosts. The flowers of Cactus Dahlias are unmistakable: very full, double blooms with slender, pointed petals that are partially or completely rolled, measuring 12 to 20 cm for the largest. The shape may vary subtly depending on the variety. But all have a delightfully ruffled appearance.

Some occasionally feature petals ending in forked tips, a characteristic of ‘Lace Cactus’ flowers also known as “Fimbriata Dahlia“. Semi-cactus varieties produce similar flowers but with less wide and less tightly rolled ligulate petals.

Highly colourful, the flowers are often bicoloured with contrasting centres and tips (Lace Cactus Dahlia ‘Clair Obscur’), of homogeneous colour (‘Chat Noir’), or in subtle shades (‘Nenekasi’).

The flowers of dwarf Cactus Dahlias are replicas of the taller varieties, just with a smaller diameter.

Their opulent blooms are spectacular in summer and autumn bouquets.

Dahlia ‘Jaxon’-‘Mels Orange Marmalade’ -‘Myrtles folly’-Dahlia ‘Pinelands prince’ –

Dwarf or tall?

Among Cactus Dahlias there are tall forms and dwarf varieties, each with their own qualities. The taller ones will create a striking focal point at the back of borders or in the vegetable garden. The dwarf Cactus Dahlias will be perfect for edging or the front of flower beds.

• Tall Cactus Dahlias are perfect for adding height and structure to borders with their stems reaching up to 1.30m tall, bearing flowers with long, narrow, ribbon-like petals in varied and vibrant colours. They may require staking. Remarkable from a distance, they form an interesting focal point for the back or middle of borders or in vegetable gardens.
• The dwarf Cactus Dahlias, not exceeding 60cm in height, create radiant splashes of colour at the front of borders or as edging, and make a stunning display in pots on patios or balconies in full sun. They are low-maintenance and require neither staking, pinching nor pruning. They withstand bad weather better and remain unfazed by wind. Mini in size but maxi in benefits!

Lace Cactus Dahlia ‘Clair Obscur’

Structuring borders with tall Cactus Dahlias

Cactus Dahlias stand out in the garden with their tall stems bearing large, very double and vividly coloured flowers that bloom all summer until the first frosts.

They form vigorous, bushy clumps and are ideal for structuring the back or middle of perennial plant borders. These tall or medium-sized varieties will reach at least 1.10m in height, up to 1.50m, and 60 to 80cm in width, requiring staking.

Echinaceas, Heleniums, Cosmos, Salvias and ornamental grasses like Foxtail Barley, Miscanthus or Fountain Grass will complement the flowering of Cactus Dahlias.

Our Favourites

Dahlia Friguolet

A spectacular Cactus Dahlia with impressive flower size and stature!

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 1,30 m

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Dahlia Nenekasi

A Dahlia variety that's almost impossible to find on the market.

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 1,10 m

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Dahlia Clair Obscur

Highly decorative at the back of borders!

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 1,20 m

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Dahlia Wittemans Best

This vigorous variety makes a statement at the back of sunny borders

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 1,30 m

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Brighten up your borders with Dwarf Cactus Dahlias

Between 40 and 60 cm in height, Dwarf Cactus Dahlias form compact bushes covered from summer until the first frosts with large flowers featuring slender petals in multiple colours. They require neither staking, pinching nor pruning and withstand harsh weather and wind without faltering.

Their small size makes them indispensable, planted in groups of 3 or 5 along sunny borders, mixed with other dahlia varieties as well as Asters, Daylilies and small ornamental grasses.

Our Favourites

Dahlia Park Idylle

Its compact growth makes it ideal for sunny borders

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Dahlia Aspen

It surprises with the size and width of its flowers on such a low-growing plant

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 40 cm

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Flowering potted plants

A very compact growth habit combined with excellent floribundus – these are two assets that make the smaller variety of Cactus Dahlias particularly well-suited to container growing. Covered in small, ruffled flower, they will effortlessly adorn a terrace or balcony all summer long and into autumn.

Mix these compact variety together to create spectacular planters. Pair them with delicate, feathery grasses like Stipa pennata, or with Asters boasting exuberant flowering.

Our Favourites

Dahlia Playa Blanca

A beautiful, relatively recent dahlia

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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Dahlia Blue Record

Perfect for pots with its stunning pink gradient!

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 60 cm

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In a vase for making bouquets

Very large (up to 20 cm in diameter), frizzy, rounded and very double, the intensely coloured flowers of Cactus Dahlias (‘Encore’) are often bicoloured or in subtle shades (‘Bora Bora’) create generous summer and autumn bouquets with a quaint charm, slightly nonchalant when paired with lilies or roses. Their enormous heads also stand beautifully on their own in uniflorous arrangements.

Our Favourites

Dahlia Color Spectacle

Striking with its unique colouring, a bright and pure orange!

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 1,10 m

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Dahlia Bora Bora

An incredible colour for creating beautiful long-lasting bouquets

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 1 m

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Dahlia Wittemans Best

A contemporary touch for bold bouquets!

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 1,30 m

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Ensuring beautiful repeat blooms

Cut without guilt: the more you cut dahlia flowers, the more the plant produces new ones. To encourage repeat flowering and extend the flowering period, be sure to deadhead spent flowers and remove some flower buds as soon as they appear. And… regularly create colourful bouquets with your Cactus Dahlias!

Semi Cactus Dahlia ‘Witteman’s Best’