Cultivate captivating dahlias
**Top Online Nurseries for Decorative Dahlias**
For garden enthusiasts seeking a diverse range of decorative dahlias, several online nurseries stand out for their extensive selection, quality, and reputation among gardeners.
### Leading Retailers
One of the top choices is **Longfield Gardens**, specialising in high-quality bulbs, including striking decorative dahlias such as ‘Rosella’, which boasts large, lush blooms up to 10 inches across—ideal for both gardens and bouquets. Their focus on dahlias and other specialty bulbs makes them a must-consider resource for dahlia enthusiasts.
**Brecks** is another reputable online nursery, offering a wide selection of summer bulbs, including decorative and uniquely colored dahlias like ‘Palmares’ with its spherical, double blooms in eye-catching color combinations. Brecks is known for both its variety and the quality of its plant stock.
### Specialty vs. General Retailers
For the **widest variety of decorative dahlias**, specialty bulb nurseries like Longfield Gardens and Brecks offer focused selections, quality assurance, and detailed variety descriptions. General plant retailers such as White Flower Farm and Nature Hills are excellent for broader gardening needs but may have a smaller dahlia inventory.
### Quick Comparison Table
| Nursery | Focus | Noteworthy Dahlias | Geographic Reach | Notes | |--------------------|------------------------|--------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------| | Longfield Gardens | Bulbs, Dahlias | Rosella, others | USA | Specialty in large-flowered types | | Brecks | Summer Bulbs, Dahlias | Palmares, others | USA | Unique color varieties | | Dutch-Bulbs.com | Dutch Flower Bulbs | Not specified | Europe | Rare, collectible, Dutch quality | | White Flower Farm | Plants, Bulbs | Not specified | USA | Curated, high-quality selection | | Nature Hills | Trees, Shrubs, Plants | Limited | USA | Healthy plants, fast shipping |
### Other Notable Options
In addition to the abovementioned nurseries, other reputable options for purchasing decorative dahlias include Crocus, Gardening Direct, and Thompson & Morgan.
### Planting and Growing Decorative Dahlias
Decorative dahlias can be bought as tubers to pot up and then plant in spring, or as garden-ready plants to plant out straight away. They thrive in a sunny, sheltered spot with good fertile soil. Compact decorative dahlias can be grown in pots.
When planting, ensure to check plants and tubers for signs of damage or disease before planting. Plant decorative dahlia tubers under cover in small pots, leaving the tips showing.
Decorative dahlias come in a range of colours, including pink, red, purple, white, and orange. Some popular varieties include Dahlia 'Leopold Chloe' with double, rich pink flowers, Dahlia 'Arabian Night' bearing deep burgundy flowers with shading that varies from bright red to deep maroon, and Dahlia 'Westerton Lilian' with huge primrose-yellow flowers with pinkish tones.
For those seeking compact dahlias, consider Dahlia 'Art Deco' with huge, apricot-pink double flowers throughout summer, or Dahlia 'Gateshead Festival' with small blooms that open orange with a pale yellow center, then fade to salmon and cream.
In conclusion, when looking to purchase a variety of decorative dahlias, starting with Longfield Gardens and Brecks for their specialized, high-quality selections and detailed variety information is highly recommended. For rare or Dutch-grown bulbs, Dutch-Bulbs.com is a top choice in Europe. General nurseries like White Flower Farm and Nature Hills are also reputable but may have a more limited dahlia focus. Always check current catalogues for the latest varieties and availability.
When considering a home-and-garden lifestyle focused on decorative dahlias, Longfield Gardens and Brecks are top choices for their extensive selections and specialized dahlia bulbs, like 'Rosella' and 'Palmares'. For an even wider variety, other reputable options include Crocus, Gardening Direct, and Thompson & Morgan.
