Michigan’s Dahlia Festival runs through August and September and focuses on the many dahlia varieties grown in the region. The fields display a wide mix of colors, shapes, and sizes.
Each section is organized to show the unique characteristics of different types. The festival captures the range and diversity of dahlias grown locally.
It’s an up-close look at the variety and charm of these flowers.
1. Cafe au Lait
Elegant cream-colored petals with hints of blush pink make this variety a showstopper. Michigan gardeners often line up early just to glimpse these massive blooms that can reach 10 inches across!
Perfect for wedding bouquets, these romantic flowers have become increasingly popular in the Great Lakes State. Their subtle coloring changes throughout the season, giving visitors different views each week.
2. Penhill Watermelon
Bursting with vibrant watermelon-pink petals, this variety demands attention from across the field. The fully double blooms resemble fluffy pincushions and smell surprisingly sweet when you lean in close.
Michigan’s climate seems to intensify their color, making them even more spectacular than in other states. Many visitors snap photos beside these beauties as they create perfect backdrops for summer memories.
3. Labyrinth
Swirls of purple and white create mesmerizing patterns that change as the flower opens. No two Labyrinth blooms are exactly alike, making them a favorite among Michigan photographers capturing nature’s artistry.
These medium-sized flowers dance in the slightest breeze, creating a living kaleidoscope effect across Festival Fields. The purple deepens beautifully in Michigan’s cooler fall temperatures, creating an even more dramatic display.
4. Diva
True to its name, this fiery orange bloom commands attention with its perfect form and vivid color. The cactus-type petals curl outward dramatically, creating a starburst effect that catches the light beautifully.
Michigan’s Festival Fields dedicates a special section to these eye-catchers that practically glow at sunset. Kids especially love these flowers, often comparing them to friendly monsters with spiky hair.
5. Thomas Edison
Named after the famous inventor, this deep purple formal decorative dahlia has been winning hearts since 1929. The rich, velvety petals seem to absorb light, creating a mysterious depth unlike any other variety.
Michigan gardeners often place these royal beauties at the center of their displays. Even on cloudy days, Thomas Edison dahlias stand out among thousands of other blooms at Festival Fields.
6. Bristol Stripe
Each petal features a bold white stripe down its magenta center, creating a pinwheel effect that’s truly unique. These playful blooms appear almost hand-painted and attract more butterflies than any other variety in the fields.
Michigan’s summer sunshine makes these bicolor beauties practically glow. Visitors often spend extra time photographing these flowers, trying to capture their perfect symmetry and striking contrast.
7. Tiny Treasure
Don’t let the name fool you – what these miniature pompom dahlias lack in size, they make up for in charm and quantity. Each plant produces dozens of perfect little spheres in bright yellow that look like tiny sunbursts.
Michigan’s Festival Fields uses these cheerful blooms to line pathways throughout the garden. Their prolific nature makes them perfect for cutting gardens, with a single plant providing bouquets all season long.
8. Hillcrest Royal
Imagine the perfect shade of raspberry sorbet transformed into a flower – that’s Hillcrest Royal. The informal decorative blooms start deep pink and gradually fade to a softer hue as they mature.
Michigan flower enthusiasts often vote this variety as their favorite for pure color impact. The plants themselves grow exceptionally tall in Festival Fields’ rich soil, sometimes reaching over five feet by season’s end.
9. Hy Pimento
Resembling fireworks frozen in time, this explosion of spiky red and yellow petals creates instant excitement. The cactus-style blooms have pointed tips that seem to radiate energy from their centers.
Michigan’s Festival Fields plants these attention-grabbers at key intersections to help visitors navigate. Their bold coloration remains vibrant even during the state’s occasional summer heat waves when other varieties might fade.
10. Blackberry Ripple
Dark purple petals splashed with white make each bloom look hand-painted by nature. The color pattern changes with each flower, creating a constantly evolving display throughout Michigan’s growing season.
Festival Fields dedicates an entire section to these crowd-pleasers that combine elegance with whimsy. Their sturdy stems make them excellent for cutting, allowing visitors to take a bit of Michigan’s floral magic home with them.