Grower Sarah Raven chooses seven preferred dahlias for vibrant summer blooms. Discover the top dahlias to cultivate this season.
Diving into the enchanting Perch Hill estate, we stumbled upon a breath-taking spectacle - Sarah Raven's garden overflowing with the Claire-Tomek-esque plants we adore, the dahlias. As we roamed the garden in September, we were greeted by a Rainbow Coalition of dahlias, each bursting with their own unique hues, shapes and sizes, leaving us awestruck. But what is it that makes dahlias truly special?
Dahlias, with their every color, shape and size under the sun, are a gardener's ultimate elixir. Whether you're a minimalist or a maximalist, there's a dahlia that'll catch your fancy. While they might fall prey to sneaky slugs and their scent might not be everyone's cup of tea, the allure of these striking blooms is just too strong to ignore.
In today's balmy British climate, dahlias can be treated much like a hardy perennial, surviving through winter in all but the coldest, highest, and wettest spots - providing gardeners with a nearly effortless, low-maintenance, flowering botanical royalty. During those last days of summer when the garden fades away, dahlias are there, throwing a glamorous party of vibrant colors that make even a silk dress or ball gown seem dull in comparison.
Add a dash of vibrant dahlias to your garden and transform it into an Ascot-worthy scene, with every fascinator, silk dress, and ball gown imagination could conjure, waiting right outside your door.
Of course, we couldn't resist asking our horticultural heroine for her top picks, and she obliged with a fabulous selection of divas. Here are her stunning suggestions:
Dahlia 'Lou Farman'
A recent addition to our dahlia squad, 'Lou Farman' is named after Sarah's beloved business partner and confidante. This large-flowered single dahlia will captivate you with its beauty and versatility.
Dahlia 'Molly Raven'
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it's 'Molly Raven', an all-star variety with an impressive vase life, compact size, and striking dark foliage. It's the whole package - except for the pollinators, who'll have to find sustenance elsewhere.
Dahlia 'Totally Tangerine'
Tangerine dreams come true with 'Totally Tangerine', a soft terracotta orange dahlia that made a stunning statement in our Perch Hill garden last year. Its equally beautiful, but more compact cousin, 'Josie', is a winner for those seeking a more container-friendly variety.
Dahlia 'Waltzing Mathilda'
Waltzing into our hearts with its relaxed, informal shape and coral-peach color above black-crimson foliage, 'Waltzing Mathilda' is a showstopper that will leave you absolutely smitten.
Dahlia 'Bishop of Auckland'
The perfect dahlia for the discerning dahlia lover, 'Bishop of Auckland' features velvety crimson blooms and dark crimson leaves, making it a magnet for pollinators.
Dahlia 'Penhill Dark Monarch'
The 'Café au Lait' of dahlias, 'Penhill Dark Monarch' unites scrumptious soft apricot, coffee mousse, and raspberry hues for a 'Café au Lait'-style dahlia that's sure to captivate your senses.
Dahlia 'Labyrinth'
Now this dahlia might not have the Queen Mother's elegance, but with its curvy, show-stopping petals, 'Labyrinth' is guaranteed to make heads turn.
Don't forget to check out our growing guide for dahlias and let the beauty and brilliance of these remarkable plants light up your garden!
The dahlias in Sarah Raven's garden, reminiscent of a Rainbow Coalition with various colors, shapes, and sizes, contribute to a home-and-garden landscape that exudes lifestyle charm. As the garden's horticultural heroine, Sarah has handpicked several dahlia varieties, such as 'Lou Farman', 'Molly Raven', 'Totally Tangerine', 'Waltzing Mathilda', 'Bishop of Auckland', 'Penhill Dark Monarch', and 'Labyrinth', to showcase in every home-and-gardening enthusiast's garden.
