Dahlia (Dahlia) belongs to the Asteraceae family, or Compositae, which includes up to 24 species. And although I have been growing dahlias for a long time, the journey into the world of these flowers brought me a lot of useful information.
Dahlia description
Dahlia is a herbaceous perennial. The stems are hollow, depending on the variety, reach a height of 30-180 cm, erect, branching.
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In nature, dahlias are common in the mountainous regions of Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia. In places natural habitat above-ground part perennial plant annually dies down to tuberous-thickened, fleshy roots, and the root tubers themselves winter in non-freezing soil. Districts middle lane Russia are unsuitable for dahlias in winter - in open ground these plants freeze. Therefore, in culture they have to be dug up for the winter and stored under certain conditions.
Varieties of perennial dahlias
The group of perennial varieties is no less wide and diverse. The following attractive varieties fall into this category:
- Tropic Sun;
- "Everest";
- "Goldgarby";
- "Jane";
- "Grand Duke";
- "Eternal flame";
- "Inca".
These are not all perennial dahlias. In this category, the Ancres variety deserves special attention. This option belongs to the category of pompon-shaped dahlias. A compact bush grows on average up to 1 m in height. Reed petals are crystal white. This variety is very demanding on light and soil quality. It is recommended to plant it in well-lit areas. The soil should be light, loose, fertile and well drained.
Another popular option for perennials is Rotbal. These are spherical dahlias growing up to 1-1.2 m in height. Their attractive feature is the bright and rich color of the flowers. They are dark cherry. At the same time, the flowers are quite large. In diameter, they can grow up to 8 cm. This variety of plants blooms profusely and for a long time (until real frosts).
Another famous variety perennial dahlias called "Honey". This flower feels great, develops and blooms in open ground. It reaches a height of 50 cm. The plant belongs to the anemone category and is distinguished by a bright, rich, very original color of flowers. 
Reproduction of perennial dahlia
Dahlias are propagated by dividing root tubers, seeds, cuttings of shoots. Cuttings bloom in the same year.
Root tubers are divided shortly before planting, cutting sharp knife into two or three parts so that each "delenka" consists of a root tuber and a piece of the root collar with two to three eyes. All cuts are sprinkled with crushed charcoal with sulfur (1:1). Planting in place is carried out in late May - early June, deepening the root collar by 3-5 cm.
Seed propagation is used mainly for a group of non-double varieties and in breeding work.
For grafting in late February - early March, root tubers are laid, after treatment with a 0.1 solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes, on racks or in boxes, covered 1/3 of the height with nutritious light earth, watered moderately. The temperature in the room is maintained at about 20-25'C. When the buds begin to grow, watering is increased, and the temperature is reduced to 15-18'C. Cuttings are taken after 3-4 weeks, from late March to mid-May.
Rules for planting dahlias
Where to plant dahlias
You need to start preparing by choosing a landing site. The dahlia flower hates drafts, but requires a well-ventilated and lit place, so you need to plant dahlias in a sunny area, protected from the wind. The soil on the site should be well-drained, permeable and nutritious. Dahlias can grow in soil with a lack or excess of acidity, but a slightly acidic or neutral environment will be optimal for them. If the soil on the site is too acidic (pH 5-4), add slaked lime to it, but if the pH is more than 8.5, you can “acidify” the soil with peat.
In autumn, when digging, enrich the area allotted for dahlias with humus and compost (3-5 kg per 1 m3). In the spring, before planting, again scatter mature compost (not leafy) and some wood ash on the site and rake it. To rid dahlias of diseases and prevent them from degenerating, it is advisable to change the planting site every year, allowing the soil to rest from dahlias for at least three years. Do not plant dahlias where asters or plants prone to fungal diseases grew before them.
Preparing tubers for planting
Not unimportant is the method of preparing tubers before planting. Tubers after winter storage are removed from containers located in basements and other cool storages, and transferred to a warm room with an air temperature of at least +18°C. The tubers are allowed to dry well, and then they are examined and processed for the presence of dry and painful sprouts. Unsuitable segments are carefully removed, the cut points are treated with brilliant green. Often, experts advise processing tubers in a weak solution of manganese. Once the root system has been processed, it can be planted in special containers. The soil for planting is mixed with peat, sand and humus. After they are planted, they are not touched for about two weeks, but it is worth monitoring the temperature in the room, it should be + 18 ... + 20 ° С, and drafts are also unacceptable.
The second step in preparing the root bulbs will be dividing them into pieces. As soon as the planted tuber gives small sprouts, you can begin to divide. The root is removed from the container and with a sharp knife cut into pieces, each of which should have a small kidney. After the tuber is divided, the segments are planted again in a container with soil. Young sprouts need to be watered, and as soon as they take root, it will be possible to plant dahlias in open ground. 
How to plant dahlias?
To get beautiful large dahlia flowers, planting must be carried out in accordance with the scheme:
- 80 x 60 cm - for tall varieties;
- 60 x 45 cm - for medium height;
- 40 x 30 cm - for dwarf dalia;
- 100 x 100 cm - for cutting.
Before planting dahlia tubers, the selected area is leveled, planting holes are dug. For tall varieties, strong stakes are driven in from four centimeters in diameter and up to two meters in height. This is necessary to protect brittle shoots when strong wind from damage, as well as drooping to the ground due to the severity of the inflorescences. Medium-sized and dwarf varieties do not need support.
So that when transplanting from containers to beds, dahlias do not suffer, they are abundantly watered for 4 hours. The earthen lump gets wet, and pull out root system from the pot will become much easier. The soil mixture is not cleaned from the roots, the plant is installed in a planting hole, buried 4–5 cm below ground level. The remaining hole is covered to the top with garden soil.
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Diseases and pests of perennial dahlia
A perennial dahlia, planting and caring for which is a rather pleasant experience, can be affected by aphids and slugs that spoil the appearance of the plant and eat its shoots and leaves. Garlic infusion or insecticides are effective against aphids. In order to avoid the appearance of slugs, it is not recommended to strongly thicken plantings that create an optimal moist environment for them. It is advisable to sprinkle the aisles blue vitriol or ash. Also a dangerous pest is the two-tail, which likes to crawl inside the plant at night and gnaw out buds in it. In order to prevent its appearance once a week, flowers must be treated with a decoction of celandine or wormwood.
As for diseases, dahlias are affected by the "black leg", causing blackening of the stem and further death of the flower. If signs of this disease are found, the soil must be watered with a 1% solution of manganese. In order to prevent the planting of dahlias should be carried out in disinfected soil.
Dahlias are perennial beautiful unpretentious flowers. Probably not a single garden plot is complete without a flower bed with these beautiful flowers. For me personally, perennial dahlias evoke more emotions than roses, which are the favorite flowers of many.
More than 15,000 varieties have been bred, different in color, shape of inflorescences and other characteristics. Some varieties differ in the size of flowers, which can reach more than 20 cm in diameter. flowering bushes cause only admiration and positive emotions.
Varieties of perennial dahlias
- Non-double - Cheerful guys (most often grown as annual dahlias)
- Undersized - Princesse Laetitia (pale pink), Melody Allegro (hot pink with a yellow core), Cezanne (yellow)
- Anemone - Baywatch (orange with a brown center), Inka (bright red), Honey (light yellow)
- Collared - Grand Duke (red with pale yellow petal tips)
- Peony - Eternal Flame (bright red), Fire and Ice (red-white)
- Decorative - Yellow Happiness (bright yellow), Nonette (creamy orange)
- Pompoms - Rothball (dark red), Goldgarby (lemon), Everest (orange-red), Ancres (white)
- Cactus - Jane (hot pink)
- Semi-cactus - Tropic Sun (salmon)
Planting perennial dahlias
Perennial dahlias prefer sunny places protected from the wind. Flowers grow well in almost any soil, but loamy and sandy soils are still the best. Keep in mind that perennial dahlias will not grow in wetlands. Before planting, in April-May, flower tubers need to be prepared - cleaned of shrunken roots, planted in boxes with any substrate that retains moisture, except sand. Then, the boxes are left in a well-lit room with a constant air temperature of 18-22 degrees. After 10 days, after the appearance of sprouts, the tubers can be divided. The division of tubers should be done with a sharp knife, carefully, trying not to damage the roots. Kidneys should remain on each separated part. Parts of the tuber are again planted in boxes, until planting in open ground. You can immediately plant tubers in open ground, but then the flowers will sprout and begin to bloom later. For planting flowers, dig holes about the depth of a spade bayonet. Then, one shovel of compost or humus is added to the hole. The tubers are carefully placed in the hole and sprinkled with earth. To avoid rotting, the root neck during planting should not be deeply deepened. After planting, perennial dahlias should be watered every day for a week, then watering can be reduced. The main thing is to ensure that the soil is always moist, but waterlogging should be avoided, otherwise the tubers will begin to rot. In addition, from too frequent watering, tubers are saturated with moisture and do not tolerate wintering.
Care
Perennial dahlias do not require special care, but for abundant flowering and normal growth must be ensured optimal conditions. Perennial dahlias need watering, especially on dry, hot days. When the plants grow up, they can be spudded to a height of 15 cm, tied up. In this case, the support must be stable. Periodically, perennial dahlias need to be fed, but nitrogen fertilizers it is better not to use it, because such top dressing contributes to the growth of foliage, and flowering worsens. After watering or past rains, the soil under the flowers needs to be loosened. Faded buds and weeds should be removed in a timely manner. At large-flowered varieties perennial dahlias can be removed all side shoots, then the inflorescences will be larger. If the main shoots are pinched over the fourth pair of leaves, then the number of inflorescences can be increased. For getting lush bush and large inflorescences, formative pruning can be carried out. However, dwarf, pompom, collared flowers do not form. In total, perennial dahlias bloom for about three months.
reproduction
Perennial dahlias are propagated by cuttings, seeds, and in some cases even grafting. Sowing seeds is carried out around April. Seedlings will appear already on the 10th day, and after about 12 days the seedlings can dive into separate pots. Seeds can be sown immediately in open ground around May, but seedlings will be more reliable. Perennial dahlias grown from seeds begin their flowering in early August. By seeds, flowers are most often propagated, which are used as annual border and dwarf varieties.
For cuttings, tubers must be planted in nutrient soil and put in a warm place. Cuttings are usually carried out in January. After the appearance of sprouts, it is necessary to separate the strongest ones from the tuber of the flower, with a small heel for quick engraftment. Flower cuttings are planted in boxes with a substrate. At first, the cuttings must be protected from direct sun rays and spray periodically. Perennial dahlias grown from cuttings begin their flowering not much later than those grown from seedlings.
by the most in a simple way is the cultivation of perennial dahlias from tubers. If you decide to buy perennial dahlia tubers, then pay attention to their condition, to the presence of eyes at the root of the tubers. Healthy perennial dahlia tubers should be firm and smooth.
Winter preparation
Despite the fact that perennial dahlias have adapted well to sudden changes in temperature, the cold still damages the flowers. The ground part does not recover after frosts, but the tubers continue to live. Perennial dahlias do not tolerate frost, therefore, for the winter, flower tubers are dug up and stored throughout the winter in a cool room, most often in the basement. You need to dig up the tubers before the onset of the first frost, on a dry day. You can determine the time for digging by the leaves of the plant, which are damaged and droop from the cold. The stems of perennial dahlias are cut to a height of about 20 cm from the base, then the ground around the bush must be dug up without damaging the tubers. Then the tubers are carefully removed from the ground, diseased tubers should be immediately removed and destroyed. Healthy tubers, some flower growers are washed with water, but you don’t need to wash it and you don’t need to clean it from the ground either. Next, the dried root tubers are placed in boxes and sprinkled with wood ash or sawdust. Tubers of perennial dahlias in boxes are cleaned in a cool room with low humidity and an air temperature of 5-7 degrees. Perennial dahlias can be stored in the house, only for this you need to ensure that the air temperature is not higher than 20 degrees. At the same time, flower tubers are sprinkled with earth, and the box is tightly covered with paper. The room should be well ventilated, and the tubers will need to be checked once a month for the timely detection of their diseases.
In general, some forms of undersized flowers can be transplanted into a pot in the fall and admire the flowering at home all winter.
Diseases and pests
Perennial dahlias are most often prone to such viral diseases like viral mosaic, ring spot. In addition, they may suffer from powdery mildew, white rot, fusarium wilt, blackleg, dry root rot. Aphids act as pests.
Perennial dahlias in photos
Dahlias are a real gem personal plot. There are the most different varieties this plant. In the photo below it is proposed to consider all sorts of options of this culture. Among the variety of these plants, flower growers most often distinguish annual and perennial versions, undersized and tall dahlias. There are other groups as well. You can find out the most popular varieties of these flowers with names and descriptions from this article.
Annual dahlias: popular varieties
Most often, dahlias are divided into and perennial. Both groups include a huge number of beautiful varieties that will become a spectacular floral decoration of the site. "Vasilisa" is one of the most popular annuals, which is suitable for growing on loggias and balconies. This flower grows up to 40-45 cm in height. The bush is abundantly strewn with flowers that come in a variety of shades.
The main division of dahlias is into annual and perennial
Another well-known annual is "Dandy". Such dahlias are considered semi-double. Buds can have a variety of colors. This is a low-growing variety that, like the previous variety, can be grown on balconies. Also, the plant will be a wonderful decoration:
- mixborders;
- discount;
- alpine slides;
- flower beds
Among the annual varieties, dahlias "Merry Fellows" stand out. This variety has aroused particular confidence among flower growers. Low dahlias allow you to brightly and colorfully decorate borders, flower beds, balconies and garden paths. Simple shaped buds come in a variety of colors. At the same time, they look landscape design concise and elegant.
Dahlias "Vasilisa"
"Unwins Dwarf" is another dahlia that is categorized as an annual. This variety is characterized by large buds and medium bush height. Blooming flowers can reach a diameter of 10 cm. This variety comes in all kinds of shades. However, carmine-colored dahlias look especially rich and colorful.
Attention! Against the background of other annual varieties, Unwins Dwarf dahlias are attractive for long flowering. It lasts until the first frost.
Among other annuals, flower growers often distinguish varieties "Bright Pompoms" and "Bambino".
Dahlia "Dandy"
Varieties of perennial dahlias
The group of perennial varieties is no less wide and diverse. The following attractive varieties fall into this category:
- Tropic Sun;
- "Everest";
- "Goldgarby";
- "Jane";
- "Grand Duke";
- "Eternal flame";
- "Inca".
Dahlia "Everest"
These are not all perennial dahlias. In this category, the Ancres variety deserves special attention. This option belongs to the category of pompon-shaped dahlias. A compact bush grows on average up to 1 m in height. Reed petals are crystal white. This variety is very demanding on light and soil quality. It is recommended to plant it in well-lit areas. The soil should be light, loose, fertile and well drained.
Another popular option for perennials is Rotbal. These are spherical dahlias growing up to 1-1.2 m in height. Their attractive feature is the bright and rich color of the flowers. They are dark cherry. At the same time, the flowers are quite large. In diameter, they can grow up to 8 cm. This variety of plants blooms profusely and for a long time (until real frosts).
Dahlia "Honey"
Another well-known variety of perennial dahlias is called "Honey". This flower feels great, develops and blooms in open ground. It reaches a height of 50 cm. The plant belongs to the anemone category and is distinguished by a bright, rich, very original color of flowers.
anemone dahlias
By the way, anemone dahlias are considered a separate group. They are low and always grow up to about 70 cm in height. Such dahlias, as the plant is also called, are usually decorated with large semi-double type buds. The most prominent representative of this group is the Lambada variety. This option is attractive for a long duration of flowering. He is able to decorate the garden from the very beginning of summer to mid-autumn. Very beautiful semi-double flowers of the plant. Their coloring comes in two colors. As a rule, in the center the bud is creamy-beige, which gradually turns into a light pink hue.
Dahlia "Boogie Woogie"
Another popular variety of anemone dahlias is the Boogie Woogie. This flower is undersized. But its decorative qualities are beyond praise. The buds of the "Boogie Woogie" variety are very bright and large (up to 10 cm in diameter). Their edges are painted in a soft pink shade, which originally turns into a yellow tone towards the center.
Varieties of pompon dahlias
A unique feature of pompon dahlias is the unusual appearance of their inflorescences. Terry flowers are decorated in the form of a fairly large ball. Its size is approximately 5 cm. The marginal petals are folded. Their apex is blunt or folded. The bushes themselves reach a height of 75 to 120 cm.
Dahlia Boom Boom Purple
A prominent representative of this group are Boom Boom Purple dahlias, which are distinguished by their original shade. Such plants will become a non-trivial decoration of the garden. The spherical flowers of this variety vary in diameter from 7 to 10 cm. Thanks to this, the buds look quite lush and colorful. Saturated purple hue inflorescences gives them a special charm and expressiveness, and the delicate aroma of the plant will conquer anyone. Despite the fact that these dahlias grow to a height of 80-100 cm, they do not need support and a garter. The variety is very strong and stable.
Another popular variety of pom-poms is the Marble Ball. These are colorful dahlias. bright variety differs in unusual coloring of inflorescences which effectively look against the background of saturated green foliage. The buds are characterized by a marble pattern in which organically coexist White color, plum shade and pink-purple colors. Each flower is individual and unusual. Due to the large size of the buds (about 10-12 cm in diameter), Marble Ball looks impressive not only in flower arrangements, but also in single landings.
Dahlia "Marble ball"
Undersized dali options
The classification of dahlias according to the height of the bush deserves special attention. So, it is customary to single out undersized (curb) varieties into a separate group. Their most striking representative is the Merry Fellows variety, but other options have gained no less popularity. Many flower growers like the Merluza variety. This type of dalia has excellent decorative qualities. Terry buds of a spherical type have a colorful yellow color. The tips of the petals are red, which gives the flowers a special glamor. The height of the bushes does not exceed 130 cm.
Dahlia Lady Darlene
'Lady Darlene' is another undersized dahlia variety. The size of their inflorescences is simply amazing. In diameter, they can reach 25 cm. This perennial is distinguished by colorful inflorescences, in which red and rich yellow shades are organically combined.
Tall varieties of dahlias
It is customary to single out tall dahlias in a separate category. Variety "Duet" is one of the brightest representatives of the group. This plant can grow up to 2.5 m in height. A bush of such distances looks very powerful. Attractive are not only inflorescences, but also the foliage of these plants. It comes in the usual green hue, and purple. As for the buds, they are shaped like a basket. Their main shade is a rich burgundy, but the edges of the petals are painted white.
In colloquial Russian, the flower is called "dahlia" (masculine), and in more scientific circles, the female "dahlia" has taken root.
Chichipatl, acocotle, cocoxochitl - that's what the Mexican Indians called the dahlia. Translated into Spanish, it means "flower with a hollow stem" and also "water pipe". It is believed that the Indians used the plant for plumbing, for example, brought water from a remote source to a more convenient place.
Of course, you can’t make plumbing from the dahlias that we see in our gardens. But if we remember that the height of some wild species reaches 6 m and their stems are thicker, the statement becomes similar to the truth.
The first time dahlias were brought from Mexico to Madrid in 1784 by merchants. They hoped to surprise the Spanish king with a new ... vegetable. The fact is that the Mexican Indians ate the underground part of this plant for food like potatoes. It contains a substance similar to starch. But the monarch did not like the new “vegetable”, but he was delighted with the flowering. Since then, dahlias have been bred in the palace gardens.
The dahlia came to Russia at the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th centuries and quickly became fashionable. It is known that more than 200 varieties were presented at the autumn exhibition in 1844!
Dahlia classification
More than 15 thousand varieties of dahlias are already known and new ones are constantly appearing.
To make it easier to navigate in such a variety, they are divided into sections (groups), most often taking into account the characteristics of inflorescences: structure, size, doubleness, shape of reed flowers, etc.
The classification has undergone a number of changes over the years, has become a little more complex, even confusing. Long-time fans of dahlias out of habit use the old version, because it is he who is presented in carefully kept books on floriculture and in some magazines. But something interesting can be learned by familiarizing yourself with the modern classification.
Habitual classification includes the following groups of dahlias: non-double, collared, anemone, peony, decorative, spherical, pompon, mixed, cactus and semi-cactus.
In one of the new versions, non-terry is called single-row, or simple.
The cactus group is sometimes divided into straight cactus and cactus with curved petals. Even nymphaeum and orchid dahlias appeared.
There is a classification of dahlias by color. The key feature is the color that prevails on the front side of the reed flowers. The coloration of the back side is usually not taken into account. An exception is made only for some groups of dahlias, for example, pompoms.
According to the American classification, there are two subgroups in the group of single-row, or simple, dahlias: Single and minion Mignon Single. Their difference lies only in the size of the inflorescences (the minions are smaller).
Now let's talk about all this diversity in a little more detail.
Single row, or simple (Single)
The inflorescences of the dahlias in this group are flat, with a single outer ring of marginal reed flowers that flank a well-defined central disc of tubular flowers. "Petals", or rather reed flowers, with rounded or pointed ends. The diameter of the inflorescence is about 10 cm, and the height of the plants is on average up to half a meter. Simple, but cute, elegant and almost hassle-free, so there are countless fans of single-row dahlias!
Varieties for lovers of the simplest dahlias are well known. It's snow white Anna Karina(Anna-Karina),
orange with a slight hint of pink Happy Kiss(Happy Kiss)
Dahlia Happy Kiss
bright red variety Romeo(Romeo) 
dahlia Romeo
dark purple Dark Desiree(Dark Desire). 
dahlia Dark Desire
Anemone (Anemone)
inflorescence with one or more outer rings marginal flowers, and in the central part the "petals" are shortened and densely assembled, their tips are often dissected. Dahlias from this group really resemble anemones and look very elegant!
What varieties of dahlias do you prefer? The question is difficult, rely on your taste. Maybe you will like Boogie Woogie(Boogie Woogie) and Honey(Honey) with bright yellow-pink inflorescences. 
Dahlia Boogie Woogie 
dahlia honey
Charming creamy pink Lambada(Lambada), as well as mambo(Mambo). In the latter variety, the lower "petals" are pink, and the lush middle of the inflorescence is yellowish-pink. 
Dahlia Lambada 
dahlia mambo
Spectacular plum red will not go unnoticed in the flower garden Purple Puff(Purple Puff). 
Dahlia Purple Puff
Pay attention to other shades, in light color scheme. For example, on white and yellow paso doble(Paso Doble) and Toto(toto). 
The dahlia of the Polka variety looks unusual. It is creamy yellow, with white reed flowers with a thin crimson border and strokes. 
dahlia Polka
Collar, or Cuff (Collerette)
The outer row of large "petals" in the varieties of this group closer to the center are trimmed with smaller, thinner and almost always contrasting in color. The middle of the tubular flowers is clearly expressed and seems to be framed by an openwork collar.
Two rows of elegant white-pale-crimson with a subtle lilac shade of "petals" against the background of bright yellow stamens make it easy to recognize Alpen Mary Lloyd(Alpen Mary Lloyd). 
Dahlia Alpen Mary Lloyd
At La Gioconda(La Gioconda) the outer circle of the inflorescence of large dark red reed flowers, the inner circle of small asymmetrical with a very light cream color. 
Dahlia La Gioconda
Night Butterfly(Night Butterfly) is similar to the previous variety, but the “collar” of this dahlia is white and pink. 
Dahlia Night Butterfly
One of the most popular varieties- raspberry-lilac with white tips Impression Fabula(Impression Fabula). 
Dahlia Impression Fabula
Worthy competitor - bright, memorable Fashion Monger(Fashion Monger) in creamy white and crimson red. 
Dahlia Fashion Monger
Nymphaeum, or Lotus (Water-lily)
The name of the group sounds very tempting, and for good reason, because the varieties of dahlias included in it are considered one of the most beautiful. The comparison with the queens of quiet backwaters is not accidental; blossoming inflorescences have wide, strongly curved, slightly curved or completely flat “petals”. The center is tightly closed by three inner rows of reed flowers. The diameter of terry inflorescences is 15-20 cm, and this is sometimes not the limit.
Without exception, all nymphaeum dahlias are beauties! Plant them in the front corners of the garden and grown for cutting.
When choosing a variety, focus primarily on color.
Fans of romantic colors will surely replenish their collection with a variety Sedation(Seduction). From a distance, the inflorescence seems purple, but it’s worth taking a closer look to understand that the main background is white, densely covered with a purple coating, and along the edge of each “petal” there is the thinnest purple edging. 
In the photo - dahlia Seduction
Moray Susan(Moray Susan) rose red, 
Dahlia Moray Susan
Kens Flame(Ken's Flame) and Pat Howden(Pat Howden) orange-yellow, 
dahlia Ken's Flame
Cream Beauty(Cream Beauty) creamy white, 
Dahlia Cream Beauty
Jerry Hoek(Gerrie Hoek) pale pink with lemon yellow showing through at the base of the petals. 
Dahlia Gerrie Hoek
Enchantress Siberia(Siberia) - almost like a real nymphaeum, snow-white, with a slight creamy tint in the center. 
dahlia Siberia
Decorative
These large beauties are all terry as a selection, consisting of well-developed flat and wide, sometimes wavy or slightly deformed "petals". They are of the same length, slightly curving towards the edge of the inflorescence. Some varieties from this group are easily confused with nymphs.
Plant height is usually 0.9-1.5 m, but two meters are also found. Suitable for group plantings and for cutting.
The colors of the varieties are very diverse.
Karma Siren(Karma Serena) white with a greenish centre, 
Karma Serena
Zorro(Zorro) bright red
Barbarossa(Barbarossa) intense crimson red, 
barbarossa
Bonaventure(Bonaventura) bright yellow. 
Bonaventure
Your refined taste will be demonstrated by a dahlia Vancouver(Vancouver) with purple, white-edged "petals". 
Vancouver
Do you want something completely out of the ordinary? Try to find a variety for sale Arabian Knight(Arabian Night), in which black and bright scarlet have merged, so the inflorescence in certain lighting appears almost black, like an Arabian night! 
Arabian night
Several varieties of bushes Procyon(Pgosuon) will turn the corner where you plant it into bright scenery a la the Brazilian carnival, because the chic inflorescences of this dalia are made up of many yellow "tongues" with red tips. 
Procyon
A similar mood will be created by orange-yellow Motto(motto) and red-yellow Caballero(Caballero). 
motto 
Caballero
Do you prefer calm tones? Settle in your garden Blue Boy(Blue Boy) Of course, this variety is not blue, rather lilac with a bluish tint, but no less spectacular. 
blue boy
Next to him, a dahlia with a truly French charm will look good. Jean Marie(Jean-Marie) with pale lilac oblong "petals", on the tips of which are milky white "drops". 
Jean Marie
Organically enter this company and lavender-pink Lavender Perfection(Lavender Perfection). 
Lavender Perfection
Ball-shaped (Ball) and Pompom-shaped (Pompon)
The dahlias included in this section delight summer residents and townspeople with completely double inflorescences of a spherical, slightly flattened shape. "Petals" with rounded tips, as if half twisted into a tube.
In pompon dalia, inflorescences are up to 6-7 cm in diameter, in spherical ones they are much larger, up to 10-16 cm. At the same time, up to 25 pieces can bloom on a rather high bush (about 1 m). Funny "balls" and "pompoms" stand in bouquets for a long time!
Pompom and ball dahlias look great together, so varieties can be combined. The main thing is that they harmonize in color. Choose your main variety and then provide it with a "support group".
Take a closer look at the peach dahlia with a burgundy center Vine Aid Gill(Wine Eyed Jill) 
Wine Eyed Jill
deep dark lilac Rocco(Rocco) 
Rocco
rich lilac variety Franz Kafka(Franz Kafka) 
Franz Kafka
golden yellow Golden Scepter(Golden Scepter). 
golden scepter
Very effective Marble Ball l (Marble Ball) with a marble pattern of snow-white and plum-purple lines and strokes. 
marble ball
Or maybe bet on very light shades? There are also a lot of them, for example, white with a hint of lemon in the depths between the “petals” snowflake(Snowflake) 
snowflake
milky white with pale lilac showing through Evelyn(Eveline). 
Eveline
There are other almost or completely white varieties: Boom Boom White(Boom Boom White) Petra's Wedding(Petra's Wedding, Petra's Wedding). 
Boom Boom White 
Petra's Wedding
Cactus, or Needle (Cactus), Semi-cactus (Semi-Cactus)
Large terry inflorescences of cactus dahlias consist of elongated pointed "petals" folded into narrow tubes, almost needles.
In semi-cactus (they are also double), reed flowers are wider at the base and rolled into a tube only half or a third of the length. This group can be called transitional between cactus and decorative dahlias.
Ordinary summer residents do not need such a division, so we will tell you about everyone at once, presenting you with several interesting varieties.
Beautiful and unusual hayley jane(Hayley Jane). Milky white at the base of the needle-shaped “petals” become pastel yellow closer to the middle, and the tips are contrastingly colored lilac. 
Hayley Jane
Dahlia variety Alawna Claire Obscurus(Alauna Clair Obscur) will attract with a noble color of burgundy with a plum shade. Another "trick" of this variety is the white tips of dissected reed flowers! 
Alauna Clair Obscur
Tsuki-Yori-Know-Shisha(Tsuki-Yori-No-Shisha) will make you doubt whether it is a white chrysanthemum or an aster of special “shaggyness”, because this variety is considered fringed according to one of the overly confusing classifications. 
Tsuki Yori No Shisha
Dahlia can be called unusual, even bizarre Hollyhill Slider Woman(Hollyhill Spider Woman) with long and thin petals that curl into different directions and resemble the legs of a spider. 
Hollyhill Spider Woman
Simpler cactus dahlias are also good, with a plain color. Due to it, the inflorescences look very graphic both against the background of garden greenery and in bouquets.
It's white and amazingly tender May Love(my love)
rich yellow Kennemerland(Kennemerland), 
Kennemerland
yellow-orange, one might say, radiant Gold Crown(gold crown) 
Gold Crown
starfish-like pastel yellow Shooting Star(Shooting Star) 
Shooting Star
noble dark red Chat Noir(Chat Noir). 
Chat noir
Other subgroups
As a rule, dahlias, which for a number of reasons did not fall into the main, easily recognizable sections, are combined into one more complex in composition. These are different, or mixed (Novelty), dahlias.
The company in the group crept up motley. Terry, semi-double and non-double, one-color, two-color and variegated. There are even star-shaped and orchid subgroups. It is quite possible that you will find your favorite dahlia here!
(Article based on the materials of the journal World of the gardener)