Dwarf Dahlias: What Are the Best Varieties?

The Great Advantages of Dwarf Dahlias

Small in size but big on ease of cultivation, Dwarf Dahlias are wonderfully low-maintenance! They require no staking, no pinching, and no pruning – simply deadheading the spent flowers – and they withstand wind far better than their towering cousins, the giant dahlias. What’s more, they bloom profusely from summer right through until the first frosts. They shine as front-of-border plants or edging, and make spectacular container plants for sunny patios or balconies.

Dwarf and tall dahlias create a joyful border mingled with Pennisetum, Helenium and Phlox – © Gap photos Robert Mabic

A pruning choice

Within the large family of Dwarf Dahlias, there is small and…smaller: the Dwarf Dahlias which don’t exceed 40 cm in height…and the semi-dwarf varieties that grow up to 80 cm at most. Both are ideal for pots, planters or grouped together as border plants. Exceptionally floriferous, they catch the eye from afar with their seemingly endless flowering season. They form compact bushes and produce an abundance of small or large flowers in a wide range of colours.

Among them are the ‘Gallery’ Dahlias, reaching about 45 cm in height, the Dwarf Cactus Dahlias, growing 50 to 60 cm tall, and the ‘Happy Single’ Dahlias which don’t exceed 60 to 80 cm. Also essential are the Collarette Dwarf Dahlias standing 60 cm tall and the Anemone-flowered Dwarf Dahlias which reach no more than 40 cm at ripeness.

The anemone flowers and compact habit of Dahlia ‘Totally Tangerine’

And flowers!

The flowers of Dwarf Dahlias are replicas of taller varieties. Resembling cactus flowers, water lilies or even anemones, their shape and diameter (approximately 6 to 12 cm) vary depending on the variety. All offer armfuls of cut flowers for bouquets. Among them, we distinguish:

• Single-flowered Dwarf Dahlias (Landscape): their flowers are single as with the ‘Happy Single’ in vibrant colours and purple foliage.
• Double-flowered Dwarf Dahlias: with single-coloured or variegated flowers featuring two ranks of petals. This category includes the opulent and colourful Dahlias ‘Gallery’.
• The Dwarf Cactus Dahlias: they produce an abundance of large flowers with slender petals in very diverse colours.
• Dwarf Collarette Dahlias: their flowers, about ten centimetres in diameter, feature a pretty ruffled neck.
• Dwarf Anemone-flowered Dahlias: a variety covered in small flowers with wide, flat petals and a frilly centre.

The Dwarf Cactus Dahlia ‘Park Princess’ and its sublime flowers with frayed petals

The best for flowering borders

Dwarf Dahlias feature a very compact growth habit requiring no staking, with flowering throughout summer until the first frosts, two qualities that make certain varieties perfect for adorning sunny borders. Placed in the front rank of flower beds, they’ll create colourful patches alongside Asters, Heleniums or Cosmos.

→ Read also: 5 Dahlias for border planting

Our Favourites

Dahlia Purpinca

Compact growth ideal for border ornamentation.

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 35 cm

See the product sheet

Dahlia Aspen

A lovely low-growing variety perfect for sunny borders with an endless flowering season

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

See the product sheet

Dahlia Melody Dora

We love this modest-sized dahlia with its refined flowers

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 65 cm

See the product sheet

The best to grow in pots

With their compact and ramified foliage, unfazed by bad weather and sturdy against the wind, certain varieties of Dwarf Dahlias are particularly well-suited to container growing, perfect for adorning patios or balconies all summer long until autumn. Don’t hesitate to mix them together to create multicoloured planters. Pair them with delicate, feathery grasses like Stipa pennata or with exuberantly flowering Asters.

Our Favourites

Dahlia Bluesette

A splendour in containers!

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

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Dahlia Gallery Cobra

A variety specifically developed for decorating pots and planters

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

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Dahlia Park Record

A lovely low-growing variety that offers ruffled flowers from July to October!

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 50 cm

See the product sheet

Dahlia Melody Mambo

Remarkable in flowering pots!

• Flowering time August to December
• Height at maturity 55 cm

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Dwarf Dahlias with Colourful Foliage

There’s a dahlia for every gardener and every desire. Among the dwarf Dahlias collection, discover a striking and contrasting series: the ‘Happy Single’. Their very bright flowering contrasts beautifully with deeply cut, deep purple foliage. With their vivid colours, they generously adorn both flowerbed borders and pots around a sunny terrace.

Our Favourites

Dahlia Happy Single Flame

Perfect for flowerbed borders or pots

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 70 cm

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Dahlia Happy Single Juliet

Candy pink flowers that are good enough to eat!

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

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Dahlia Happy Single Romeo

An exclusive with vibrant colours!

• Flowering time August to November
• Height at maturity 50 cm

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Tips for Long-Lasting Flowering

To extend the flowering, make sure to regularly remove the faded flowers. And to encourage repeat flowering, don’t hesitate to cut for creating opulent bouquets!

Removing flowers after flowering is the secret to enjoying Dahlias all summer long