All about dahlias: symbolism and colour meanings
Dahlias (pronounced day-lee-ahs) are fondly known as the queens of the Autumn garden, thanks to their long flowering period. They can bloom from Summer through to the first frost, bringing vibrant colours to outside spaces at a time when other flowers have finished their season. It’s because of their late blooming period that they’re the birth flower of November.
A favourite for budding gardeners thanks to their easy growth, these charming blooms are also a much-loved cut flower across the world due to their striking sculptural shapes, abundant petals and vibrant hues.
Dahlias are native to the mountainous regions of Central America and Mexico, where they are the national flower. Loved by the Aztecs for medicinal purposes, the flower was first formally identified by a Spanish expedition to Mexico in the late 1700s, and given the name dahlia by the then director of the Royal Gardens of Madrid, Antonio José Cavanilles, who named it in homage to the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. Today they are grown across the world and are a popular garden flower.
A favourite for budding gardeners thanks to their easy growth, these charming blooms are also a much-loved cut flower across the world due to their striking sculptural shapes, abundant petals and vibrant hues.
Where do dahlias grow?
Dahlias are native to the mountainous regions of Central America and Mexico, where they are the national flower. Loved by the Aztecs for medicinal purposes, the flower was first formally identified by a Spanish expedition to Mexico in the late 1700s, and given the name dahlia by the then director of the Royal Gardens of Madrid, Antonio José Cavanilles, who named it in homage to the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. Today they are grown across the world and are a popular garden flower.
Different types of dahlia flowers
There are 42 species of dahlia and more than 57,000 cultivated varieties. As to be expected from such a large number, the bloom is incredibly diverse and comes in a rainbow of colours, as well as different types of flower structure. Some of the most popular dahlia types include:
Pompom varieties are characteristic of the classic dahlia, with a round flower head formed by petals that are curved inwards.
Ball dahlias are similar in shape to Pompom dahlias but are larger, with more petals.
Cactus dahlias have long, narrow petals that have a spikey appearance and often curve inwards.
As their name suggests, these dahlias resemble a waterlily, with shallow flowers made of several curved petals.
What do dahlias symbolise?
Different dahlias symbolise different things, but there are a few general meanings associated with these beautiful blooms. They are often twinned with new beginnings, finding inner strength, diversity, kindness and grace. As with many flowers, the colour of a dahlia influences the sentiment behind it.
From coral to fuchsia, pink dahlias are truly striking. They are associated with kindness and beauty, making them a thoughtful gift.
Red flowers are often associated with love, and this is certainly true for red dahlias. These bold blooms are also twinned with strength and power.
Yellow and orange dahlias symbolise joy and happiness, bringing cheer with their vibrant, sunny hues. They’re the perfect gift to brighten someone’s day.
White flowers often represent purity, innocence and rebirth, and dahlias are no different. This sculptural flower looks striking in ivory, with the pale hue allowing those pretty petals to take centre stage.
While most dahlias speak to a positive sentiment, there is one dahlia that has a negative meaning. Black dahlias, which are actually a very dark burgundy or crimson colour, are often associated with betrayal and sadness. That being said, this flower makes a striking addition to bouquets and its beauty should not be overlooked.
What is the best shape vase for dahlias?
Dahlias have straight stems and large flowers, which means they are quite top heavy. It’s a good idea to try and give your stems some support – if you place them in a vase with a wide neck, for example they’ll lean forward. To help them stand upright, choose a vase with a narrower neck.
How to look after cut dahlias
Dahlias are thirsty flowers, and they love lots of water. It’s best to keep this in mind when displaying cut dahlias in a vase, as they’ll need lots to drink to help them stay looking their best. Dahlias have a shorter vase life than other flowers, and usually last between 3-7 days – however, proper care can help to extend the life of your dahlias.
1. Snip off the end of your stems at a 45-degree angle, using your vase to measure the appropriate height.
2. Remove any leaves and buds that may end up below the water line.
3. Fill your clean vase with water and add your flower food.
4. Add your dahlias and display them in a cool room, away from a window, radiator or direct sunlight.
5. After a few days, clean the vase and refresh the water to remove any bacteria. Add your second sachet of flower food.
6. Snip the stems again, removing any flowers that aren’t looking as fresh, and add your dahlias back into the vase.
Are dahlias pet friendly?
Sadly, dahlias are toxic to pets if ingested. If you have furry friends in your household, we recommend keeping your dahlias at a height, or a in room they rarely go in. Alternatively, we have lots of pet-friendly flowers to discover in our range.
Flowers that look like dahlias
If you’re on the hunt for dahlias out of season, or are struggling to find any, there are lots of other blooms that have a similar look. Zinnias, gerbera daisies and double anemones all come in vibrant hues and have bountiful petals characteristic of dahlias.
