Table of Contents

GROWING DAHLIA

C L A S S I F I C A T I O N of D A H L I A

There are 20,000 varieties of Dahlia that was tentatively listed by the (RHS) Royal Horticulture Society of London, this is a Universally recognized registrar sponsored by The International Horticultural Congress: the International Registration Authority.

The National Dahlia Society of U.K. publishes "The Classification Directory" which gives updated information of Dahlia cultivars and specs.

The form, size and color are the main consideration for the classification of Dahlia:

FORM:

Group 1 Single-flowered Dahlias
Group 2 Anemone-flowered Dahlias
Group 3 Collarette Dahlias
Group 4 Peony-flowered Dahlias
Group 5 Decorative Dahlias
Group 6 Ball Dahlias
Group 7 Pompon Dahlias
Group 8 Cactus Dahlias
Group 9 Semi-Cactus Dahlias
Group 10 Miscellaneous Dahlias

SIZE (Diameter):

1. Giant Flowered - Blooms over 10" (254)
2. Large Flowered - Between 8" and 10" (203-254 mm)
3. Medium Flowered - Between 6" and 8" (152-203 mm)
4. Small Flowered - Between 4" and 6" (102-152 mm)
5. Miniature Flowered - Not exceeding 4" (102 mm)

COLORS:
Fifteen (15) colors and shades were recognized in this
Classification:

White (Wt); Yellow (Yw); Orange (Og); Bronze (Bz); Flame (Fm);
Red (Rd); Light Pk (Lt Pk); Dark Pink (Dk Pk) including
Lavender and Mauve; Wine (Wn) including Purple and Violet;
Blend (BD) combination of two colors; Blends (Bds) combination
of three or more colors; Bicolor (Bed) two distinct colors;
Variegated (Vd) multi-colored varieties.

Single-Flowered Dahlias
Most Dahlias that are grown from seeds for general bedding
purposes are singles. Single-Flowered Dahlias has a blooms
of single row of rays enclosing a large disc of small florets.
The number of petals or rays varies from six to eight in a
typical single bloom. The plants are much taller with a number
of branches and the flower last for a long time. It is for
this reason that they are more preferred species in the cut
flower market.

Single Dahlias do not breed true due to their heterozygous
character. Attractive Single-flowered species are therefore
propagated by cloning. This is done by lifting tubers at the
end of season, usually during later autumn or rooted by cuttings
off grown plants.