Seven varieties of Cactus Dahlia and Semi-Cactus Dahlia types to experiment with
In the world of gardening, dahlias are a spectacle to behold, offering a vibrant array of shapes, sizes, and colours that can transform any garden into a tropical paradise. Among the most striking are the cactus and semi-cactus dahlia varieties, known for their sturdy nature and unique petal structures.
Author Mary Ellen Ellis, with degrees in Chemistry and Biology, specialising in flowers, native plants, and herbs, has curated a list of some of the most popular and captivating cactus and semi-cactus dahlia varieties to grow in your garden.
**Dahlia 'Doris Day'** is a small-flowered cactus dahlia, boasting bright red blooms that grow to about 1.1 metres tall and 40 centimeters wide. Its vivid colour and compact size make it an excellent choice for many gardens.
Another captivating semi-cactus variety is **Dahlia 'Frigoulet'**, with its dramatic bi-coloured red and white spiky petals. Suitable for exhibiting due to its striking appearance, it grows to about 1.1 metres in height and 40 centimetres spread.
**Dahlia 'Weston Miss'** is a miniature-flowered semi-cactus type with pale yellow petals that stand out particularly at dusk. Reaching about 1.2 metres in height and 40 centimetres wide, this variety adds a touch of elegance to any garden.
**Dahlia 'Preference'** is a small-flowered semi-cactus dahlia with yellowy-pink blooms, providing a soft colour palette to garden beds.
Other notable varieties within the cactus and semi-cactus group include **Dahlia 'Kenora Challenger'** and **Dahlia 'Reputation'**, known for their unique petal shapes and vibrant flowers.
**Dahlia 'Gelber Vulcan'**, a semi-cactus variety, produces large, buttery yellow flowers on a tall, impressively large plant. It blooms continuously from July until frosts, providing long-lasting colour in the garden.
Cactus dahlias feature narrow petals that often curve inward, giving a spiky, delicate look. Semi-cactus dahlias have broader petals rolled in for part of their length, creating a striking but slightly softer appearance. Both types are fully double flowers and tend to be less prone to rain damage due to their petal structure, often requiring less staking.
Some other intriguing varieties include **Karma Corona**, a unique semi-cactus dahlia with mango and peach tones along its petal spikes, fading to chewy yellow centres, and **Karma Bon Bini**, a double-coloured dahlia variety with fiery red-orange petals and sunshine yellow centres.
These varieties cover a range of sizes and colours, offering flexibility and visual interest for garden enthusiasts wanting dramatic, elegant flowers with a tropical flair. For best results, grow them with good soil and adequate sun, and consider using a rooting stimulant to establish strong plants.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice, these stunning cactus and semi-cactus dahlia varieties are sure to add a touch of magic to your garden. Happy planting!
[1] Gardening Know How, "Top 10 Dahlia Varieties for the Garden", accessed 24th March 2023,
[2] The Spruce, "How to Grow Dahlias from Bulbs", accessed 24th March 2023,
[3] The Old Farmer's Almanac, "Dahlia Care", accessed 24th March 2023,
[4] BBC Gardeners' World, "Gardeners' World: Dahlia 'Gelber Vulkan'", accessed 24th March 2023,
The list of captivating cactus and semi-cactus dahlia varieties, curated by author Mary Ellen Ellis, is a great resource for gardeners seeking to incorporate these stunning flowers into their lifestyle. For example, the 'Doris Day' variety is a compact, small-flowered cactus dahlia with bright red blooms, while 'Frigoulet' showcases dramatic bi-coloured red and white spiky petals. These varieties, including 'Weston Miss', 'Preference', 'Kenora Challenger', 'Reputation', 'Gelber Vulcan', 'Karma Corona', and 'Karma Bon Bini', will add a touch of magic to any home-and-garden.
