The Best Dahlias for Cut Flowers: 5 Must-Grow Varieties Your First Season

One of the ultimate late-summer/early-fall showstoppers on the flower farm is the dahlia. Dahlias are loved by flower growers and flower buyers alike because of the huge variety of colors, shapes, and sizes they come in. 

Hello to all the budding flower enthusiasts and aspiring flower farmers out there! Imagine a field filled with rows of vibrant dahlias in full bloom – a result of your dedication and hard work. If you're ready to step into the world of flower farming, dahlias provide an excellent starting point. The choice of varieties, however, can significantly impact your first season.

In this guide, we're diving into the world of dahlia cultivation to uncover five essential varieties that will pave the way for a successful journey. While rare and extravagant breeds might catch your attention, we're focusing on varieties that not only bring charm but also deliver consistent growth. So, let's start by exploring the importance of selecting dahlia varieties that ensure a bountiful bloom – a fundamental aspect of a promising first season.

Prioritizing Abundant Blooms: Why It Matters

In your first season as a flower farmer, setting the stage for success is all about prioritizing the right flower varieties. The same is true with dahlias. It can be so easy to scroll through dahlia sellers’ websites and want to buy every beautiful variety you see. But let’s be real—you probably don’t have the time, space, or budget to buy all those tubers.

So how do you decide which varieties are the best options? My best advice is to select varieties that are easy to grow, can be grown in a smaller space, and most importantly, are prolific bloomers. Your first year should be dedicated to efficiency, and trust me, having a few heavy-producing dahlia varieties is going to make you a lot happier than a bunch of one-off untrustworthy bloomers. 

If you’re interested in swiping up varieties that I think fit the bill, I offer a dahlia tuber sale every fall!

Practicality First: Which Dahlia Types to Avoid

While those dinnerplate dahlia varieties might seem like a dream—don’t get me wrong, they ARE beautiful—they can quickly turn into a new flower farmer's nightmare. These blooms, while stunning, don’t produce many blooms and often require more specialized care and attention. From staking to keeping them upright, their demands can sometimes overshadow their beauty. Plus, the flowers themselves are so large, they tend to be difficult to put into standard arrangements or market bouquets.

Similarly, rare varieties might seem exciting to grow on your flower farm, but they can also bring along a learning curve. My advice: Don’t buy them. Wait until you’ve got a few years under your belt to give rare varieties a shot. These rarities are often expensive and come with unique care needs that can be challenging to meet because they tend to be high-maintenance. 

Need a little help beating temptation? Let yourself buy one or two dahlias that you just can’t let yourself go without so you can personally enjoy them without letting yourself get too carried away with blooms you actually want to sell. 

My Favorites: The Must-Grow Dahlia Varieties for Beginners

There are 42 species of dahlias and literally hundreds of hybrids, so I get that it can still be overwhelming to find the best options, even with the advice I’ve given so far. That’s why I want to share my absolute favorite varieties and what I love about them. 

Cornel

A timeless classic, Cornel dahlias are a ball-type dahlia with a beautiful deep red color. This reliable bloomer has won many awards and is considered by many growers to be a must-have. And I have to agree! With their straightforward care requirements, they're an excellent choice for those new to flower farming.

For a twist on the classic Cornel, consider the Cornel Bronze variety as well. This dahlia stands out with its stunning orange tones and nearly perfect form. Its stems are long and strong and any new flower farmer can’t go wrong with growing it. 

Another reason I love these two varieties is because they are great tuber producers, meaning one tuber will grow many new tubers in a single season. So you can have more dahlias for yourself or to sell the following year. 

Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar is a true gem in the field and bouquets. Its warm ombre orange hues are simply stunning, like a sunset in bloom. But it's not just a pretty face; this dahlia's got strong and straight stems making it a dream to work with.

Cryfield Harmony

With vibrant fuschia blooms, Cryfield Harmony is another ball-form dahlia that is a wonderful addition to any cut flower garden or farm. She cranks blooms all season long right up until the first frost and can be found in just about every bouquet that leaves our farm.

Snoho Doris

With 4-5" peachy-pink blooms, this ball dahlia offers a profusion of blossoms on sturdy, straight stems. No matter how many blooms I harvest, Snoho Doris continuously produces.

Salmon Runner and Pink Runner

Salmon and Pink Runner Dahlias are technically a formal decorative-type dahlia, meaning that their shape is a little different and less round than ball types, so this definitely will give some variety to your dahlia bed or field. Salmon Runner is a warm, coral-salmon color and Pink Runner is more of a bright pink color. 

Both varieties have strong stems and produce a ton of blooms. 

These varieties are not only beautiful, but also offer an excellent starting point for your flower farming journey. With their reliability and prolific blooms, you'll be well on your way to creating  arrangements that are bursting with life and color.

Once you start growing dahlias, there’s no going back. They’re one of the top flower types for so many growers and one of the most sought after by buyers. Plus, once you’ve gotten the hang of growing them, you can advance your skills by using them to make more money for you. Yup! Dahlias are one of the best money-making flowers you can have on your farm because you can make profits on more than just their flowers. 

I hope these recommendations give you a good starting point when you’re dahlia shopping. I know you can’t go wrong with this list of best dahlias for cut flowers.