Dahlia growers favourite blooms for cutting
The Best Cutting Varieties from RHS Wisley
At this year’s National Dahlia Society show at RHS Wisley Garden, I joined a group of professional growers and expert amateurs in showcasing their favourite dahlias—varieties not just for the exhibition bench, but also perfect for cutting gardens.
While the NDS often celebrates exhibition varieties, The weekend of the show was all about the Garden varieties, and I asked this team which ones they’d found over the years to be both stars of the show and dependable performers in any flower garden and vase, and the reasons why they chose them. I have to say that this is a pretty solid collection if you want to sell your dahlias for floristry and enjoyment.
Team Dahlias at RHS Wisley show 2024 - photo by John Williams
Philippa from Just Dahlias – 'Caroline Wagermanns'
For Philippa at Just Dahlias, the 'Caroline Wagermanns' dahlia stands out. Known for its stunning shape and its ability to dry beautifully, this variety is perfect for arrangements that go beyond the garden.
Ali Kesson from Small Garden Life & Liz Appleby – 'Château de la Bourdaisière'
Ali and Liz are both enamoured with 'Château de la Bourdaisière'. Ali says, "It’s a dahlia that’s both beautiful and prolific, with long stems and an amazing dusky apricot hue." This one is ideal for creating elegant arrangements with a soft, sophisticated touch. -having seen how it held up over the weekend of the show, it’s on my list to get next season.
Liz Frost from Surrey Dahlias – 'Wine-Eyed Jill'
Liz Frost’s favourite is 'Wine-Eyed Jill', which is always the first to flower in her garden. What makes it stand out is how its colours change throughout the season, giving a dynamic look to any arrangement, with a pink touch earlier in the season, and the picture below showing the Autumnal shades.
Sarah Williams – 'Cornel Brons'
Sarah loves the strong presence of 'Cornel Brons', a dahlia that excels in both form and colour. "I adore its perfection of colour," Sarah says, "and it looks fantastic in any bouquet."
Cornel brons
Natalie from Pinks Cottage Flowers – 'Wizard of Oz'
'Wizard of Oz' is Natalie’s pick for its soft, pastel pink blooms. "It’s a prolific flowerer," she shares, making it perfect for florists who want to keep their arrangements full and fresh throughout the season.
Sandra Field from Field Flower Farm – 'Sandra' Dahlia
Sandra Field of Field Flower Farm has a special connection to her namesake dahlia, 'Sandra'. " It has incredibly long stems, and as a ball dahlia, it lasts really well, even during transportation in the van."
Claire Brown from Plantpassion - ‘Evelyn"‘
I’m a big fan of Evelyn. It grows large, so crowds out the weeds, it starts flowering early, it goes with lots of colours so it’s popular for weddings, but is also great for bouquets. All of this means that it’s one of my most profiable. What’s not to love?
Sophie Jones – 'Linda’s Baby' and 'Hamari Rose'
Sophie finds it hard to choose between two stunning dahlias: 'Linda’s Baby' and 'Hamari Rose'. She loves both for their striking colour, form, and impressive vase life.
Linda's Baby (Photo by Liz Frost)
Vanessa Penn – 'Labyrinth'
Vanessa is captivated by 'Labyrinth', a dahlia known for its stunning colour, which complements its bronze leaf foliage. "The form and colour are just lovely," Vanessa says, and it’s easy to see why this one is a favourite.
Richard – 'Kidd’s Climax' and 'Peppermint Splash'
Richard is drawn to 'Kidd’s Climax' for its bold colour and great stem length, while 'Peppermint Splash' stands out for its unique variations in colour. Both add a touch of excitement to any floral display.
Claire Parkes from Green Barn Flowers – 'Megan Dean'
Finally, Claire Parkes recommends 'Megan Dean' for its excellent stem length and lovely colour. This variety is a wonderful choice for creating long-lasting, striking arrangements.
Each of these dahlias has its own special qualities, and they’ve certainly earned their place as favourites in our gardens, and in the vase. Whether you’re looking for vibrant colours, long-lasting blooms, or unique forms, there’s a dahlia out there that will capture your heart and bring beauty to your home or business.