Dahlias come in all shapes and sizes. This is why, like other extensively hybridised flowers, dahlias are classified by flower type. There are waterlilies, stars, fimbriated (fringed) and cactus types; orchids, anemones, pompons and paeonies. Just don’t ask me to tell them all apart. Carving out a niche between the singles and the decorative doubles, collerette dahlias have the simple form of a single dahlia but with a flambuoyant twist.
Collerettes display a simple outer row of almost flat, overlapping petals, with a central disc encircled by a ‘collar’ of small florets that create a ruffled appearance. This extra frilly bit makes collerettes more decorative than their single sisters, but still easy to place in the border. A good collerette dahlia will hold its blooms nicely above the plant’s foliage, making them ideal for cutting, serving as a magnet for bees.
Dahlia maestro Steven Edney, Head Gardener at The Salutation, counts deep pink D. ‘Edith Jones’ amongst his favourite collerettes, growing several others including scarlet D. ‘Mars’, cool, creamy D. ‘April Heather’ and berry-bright D. ‘Lilian Alice’.
Daisy-like and dramatic, collerettes are the shooting stars of the dahlia family; bright, lively and just enough to brighten up your late summer borders.
Categories: Dahlias, Daily Flower Candy, Flowers, Foliage, Photography, Plants
What beauties…thanks for more great photos of dahlias…they really do seem to be “marmite” plants…I’m glad I love them even if they do hide earwigs!!
I shouldn’t say it, but I don’t have an earwig problem. I think the vine weevils must see them off 😉
I wish it was dahlia fortnight! These are lovely, esp April Heather.
I’d love to keep the dahlia posts going for a fortnight but I am exhausted after just four days! A day off and I’ll get back on the case 🙂
You’ve done far better than me. My plans for the week seemed to drift away.
Ooh the April Heather is wonderful! It’s like the beginnings of sunrise over the clouds on an aeroplane 🙂 With your recent dahlia posts you have really increased my interest in dahlias..
That’s lovely to hear. Makes it all worthwhile. I love your description of April Heather. I feel quite transported!!
Okay, these dahlias are gorgeous but your photography skills are really showing here, friend. Stunning shots. 🙂
Thanks Judy. I was actually thinking I should go back this weekend and take some more shots as some were quite blurred. Him Indoors doesn’t have too much patience with me snapping away so I usually feel a little rushed.
Your photos of these varieties are wonderful. They do make me think of the resemblance of the collerettes to Cosmos.
Yes, I get that too Dean. Without the feathery foliage. I grew ‘Blue Bayoux’ this year but wasn’t overly impressed. Very inconsistent flower shape, but nice, if not very blue, colouring.
yes, just looked up Blue Bayoux. Not very blue. I have a lot of catching up to do with your blog posts, so sorry these comments come so late after your initial posting. But I enjoy them so I must make my way through.
No worries! I am flattered you are interested enough to trawl back through Dean. I am struggling to put much on whilst in China as my time is not my own. A day off tomorrow so I will maybe get a post written then. Dan