Dahlias thrive in Orlando’s long growing season, offering color deep into the year. Choosing raised or well-drained beds helps keep their roots healthy.
A mix of varieties brings a range of shapes and hues to the garden. Regular deadheading encourages more flowers to appear. Each bed can become a bright focal point in the yard.
1. Karma Choc
Dark burgundy blooms create dramatic contrast against Orlando’s lush greenery. These velvety flowers hold up surprisingly well in Florida’s summer heat when given afternoon shade.
Many Orlando gardeners plant these stunning dahlias in October for winter-to-spring blooms. The deep coloration makes them perfect for cutting gardens.
2. Bishop of Llandaff
Scarlet blooms pop against dark bronze-purple foliage, creating stunning visual impact. Florida gardeners appreciate how this variety handles Orlando’s climate when planted in well-draining soil.
Morning sun exposure works best in the Sunshine State. The dramatic color combination makes this dahlia a standout feature in any Orlando landscape.
3. Café au Lait
Creamy blush flowers reach dinner-plate size, becoming conversation starters in any Orlando garden. Their subtle coloration ranges from pale pink to soft beige depending on Florida’s growing conditions.
Plant these showstoppers where they’ll receive morning sunshine but escape afternoon heat. Many Central Florida gardeners consider them worth the extra care they require.
4. Gallery Art Deco
Compact growth habit makes this variety perfect for Orlando’s container gardens and smaller spaces. The bright yellow petals with red tips bring cheerful energy to Florida patios.
Unlike taller varieties, these dahlias rarely need staking even in summer storms. Their early blooming schedule delights Central Florida gardeners looking for extended color.
5. Thomas Edison
Royal purple blooms stand tall and dramatic in Orlando landscapes. Named after the famous inventor who wintered in Florida, these dahlias produce impressive 6-8 inch flowers throughout the growing season.
Their strong stems make them excellent cut flowers for Central Florida gardeners. Plant in groups of three for maximum impact in borders or dedicated cutting gardens.
6. Kelvin Floodlight
Massive yellow blooms can reach 10 inches across, creating sunshine even on cloudy Florida days. Orlando gardeners often stake these giants to support their impressive dinner-plate sized flowers.
The bright lemon color stands out beautifully against the Sunshine State’s tropical greenery. Their long blooming period makes them valuable additions to any Central Florida garden.
7. Labyrinth
Intricate swirls of lavender and white create hypnotic patterns on each bloom. Orlando’s morning light enhances the color variations in these fascinating flowers that perform well in Florida’s growing conditions.
The unique coloration makes them standouts in mixed flower beds across the Sunshine State. Plant them where you can appreciate their detailed patterns up close.
8. American Dawn
Coral-peach blooms with golden centers perfectly complement Florida’s sunrise skies. The medium-sized flowers produce abundantly throughout the growing season in Orlando gardens.
Their warm tones blend beautifully with tropical plants common in the Sunshine State. Many Central Florida gardeners find this variety outperforms others during humid summer months.
9. Little Robert
Compact size makes this red ball dahlia perfect for Orlando’s container gardens and front borders. The vibrant crimson blooms stand out against Florida’s lush greenery while staying under 3 feet tall.
Their prolific flowering habit delights Sunshine State gardeners from spring through fall. Plant several together for a stunning mass of color in smaller Central Florida spaces.
10. Mystic Illusion
Striking yellow blooms against nearly black foliage create dramatic contrast in Orlando landscapes. The dark leaves remain attractive even when the plant isn’t flowering, adding interest to Florida gardens year-round.
Heat tolerance makes this variety especially valuable in the Sunshine State. Central Florida gardeners appreciate how the compact plants maintain their shape without extensive staking.
11. Penhill Watermelon
Enormous pink blooms resemble slices of summer fruit, bringing whimsy to Orlando gardens. The multi-layered petals create fluffy, show-stopping flowers that can reach 10 inches across in favorable Florida conditions.
Morning sun placement helps these dahlias thrive in the Sunshine State. Their conversation-starting appearance makes them favorites for Central Florida garden tours and competitions.
12. Crème de Cassis
Wine-purple centers fade to lilac tips, creating ombré effects that captivate Orlando visitors. These medium-sized dahlias produce abundant blooms throughout Florida’s extended growing season.
Their color intensifies in the Sunshine State’s morning light. Central Florida gardeners often plant these in groups for maximum impact in perennial borders or dedicated cutting gardens.
13. Bracken Sarah
Soft apricot blooms bring subtle elegance to Orlando landscapes. The delicate coloration looks especially beautiful in Florida’s golden evening light, creating glowing effects in garden borders.
Heat-resistant qualities make this variety suitable for the Sunshine State’s challenging summers. Many Central Florida gardeners pair these with blue salvias for striking color combinations.
14. Arabian Night
Velvety maroon-black flowers create dramatic focal points in Orlando gardens. The deep coloration stands out beautifully against Florida’s typical tropical greenery and flowering shrubs.
These dahlias perform surprisingly well in the Sunshine State when given proper drainage. Central Florida gardeners often use them to create striking contrast with brighter colored companions.
15. Breakout
Lavender-blue petals bring cool tones to hot Orlando gardens. These unusual colored dahlias create refreshing visual breaks in Florida’s typically warm-hued landscape palettes.
Their medium height works well in Sunshine State borders without overwhelming neighboring plants. Central Florida gardeners treasure these for their unique coloration that’s relatively rare among dahlias.
16. Lilac Time
Soft purple waterlily-shaped blooms float above the foliage like magical butterflies. Orlando gardeners appreciate how these dahlias continue flowering even during Florida’s most challenging weather periods.
Their delicate appearance belies their surprising resilience in the Sunshine State. Many Central Florida enthusiasts consider these essential for creating romantic, cottage-style garden sections.