11 Pure White Dahlia Types Featuring Florist Georgie Newbery
Reviewed By DAN ORI
Dan has over 27 years’ under his belt caring for plants and gardens. Working as a Horticultural Instructor and Consultant, he draws on a diverse range of experience that includes working as a Head Gardener, Tree Surgeon, Garden Centre Trouble Shooter, and writer of academic papers. Dan has a Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture and is currently a candidate for the RHS’s most prestigious award – The Master of Horticulture.
Contributions From GEORGIE NEWBERY
After establishing Common Farm Flowers with her husband in 2010, Georgie Newbery has become one of the UK’s most reputable flower farmers. Georgie runs workshops when she isn’t busy arranging floral bouquets and also regularly shares tutorials on YouTube. She is also the Author of several books, including The Flower Farmer’s Year and Grow Your Own Wedding Flowers.
IN THIS GUIDE
An import from the Americas, dahlias have taken to the British climate with aplomb – and Britons have taken to them with equal enthusiasm.
Available in a variety of forms, they’re as versatile as they are visually stunning.
“One plant I can’t live without is the dahlia, as I love a hard worker with masses of chutzpah!” jokes Georgie Newbery, a Florist.
Indeed, they’re often prized for the vibrancy of their colourings, but you might find that the brilliance of white is actually a superior option for your display – not least because it goes well with absolutely everything, including other white flowers.
While many people love the exoticism of cactus varieties or the architectural intrigue of a spherical pompom flowerhead, it’s a good idea to include some single-flowering specimens in your mix to allow pollinators easy access to the goods.
We asked Master Horticulturist Dan Ori for his favourite white flowering dahlia:
“I recommend Dahlia ‘Bishop of Dover’. The white blooms of Dover will get you singing like Vera Lynn, and I love the way the pure white petals look like they are soaking up a lilac-pink hint from the sky on a summer’s evening.
“Reaching a height of 90-100cm, this Dahlia towers like undulating white cliffs through a border.”
With that in mind, here’s a selection of my favourite white dahlias to grow in your garden.
It’s important to note that all of the varieties mentioned in this list bloom in summer and autumn, are H3 hardy and need to be grown in a sheltered location in full sun.
A variety of styles and shapes are on offer here, so there’s sure to be something to please everyone.
1) D. ‘My Love’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘My Love’
- FLOWERS: White
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Clay, loam, sand; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
A cactus variety, ‘My Love’ is beloved for the purity of its colour and the strange spear-like shape of its petals.
Each one unfurls from the central flowerhead like a limb stretching in the morning, while the hint of yellow at its core is a beautiful companion to the white everywhere else.
Growing up to 80cm in height and 50cm in spread, it has blossoms that can measure as much as 15cm across.
As such, it’s a lovely choice for a border, patio pot or even indoors on a sunny windowsill.
2) D. ‘Honka White’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Honka White’
- FLOWERS: White and yellow
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Clay, loam, sand; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
A single flowering variety of dahlia, ‘Honka White’ is no less impressive for the sparsity of its petals.
Indeed, their pointed nature, along with the spacing in between, makes them reminiscent of a windmill stretching its blades towards the sky.
With bright yellow stamen casting a honeyed hue on the white canvas beneath and lush green foliage acting as the ideal backdrop, it’s guaranteed to catch the eye and start tongues wagging wherever it’s planted.
3) D. ‘Trelyn Kiwi’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Trelyn Kiwi’
- FLOWERS: White and pink
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Another cactus dahlia, ‘Trelyn Kiwi’ has petals which are chunkier and more curved than the straight, tendril-like lances of ‘My Love’.
It also carries a slightly pinkish tinge to its white, while the yellow reflections of the buried core complete a very pleasing collage of colours.
Growing up to 1m in height, it’s ideal for adding some structural variety to a mixed herbaceous border, but the unusual shape of its flowerhead makes it an excellent choice for a cut flower, too.
4) D. ‘Small World’ (Pom)
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Small World’
- FLOWERS: White
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Clay, loam, sand; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
The pompom blossoms of ‘Small World’ float above the dark green leaves beneath, while the white flower-heads tinged with yellow provides a very pleasing contrast to the foliage.
The whole plant achieves a maximum height of just 1m, but it’s the delicate blooms which are particularly petite – and all the more lovely for it.
From the cheeriness of their movement in the breeze to the upbeat children’s song that their name is inspired by, it’s impossible not to have a positive disposition when planting, admiring or tending to these little lovelies.
5) D. ‘Lady Liberty’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Lady Liberty’
- FLOWERS: White
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Clay, loam, sand; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
From the pristine clarity of her snow-white petals to the demure manner in which they fold back towards the stem, ‘Lady Liberty’ is every inch a female of regal bearing.
Set against the plush greenery of her foliage, her flower-heads look magnificent throughout summer and well into autumn.
Reaching 120cm in height, she’s a medium-sized dahlia that will fit just as well into a mixed display as she does in pots or vases, whether container-grown or as a cut flower.
6) D. ‘Eveline’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Eveline’
- FLOWERS: White and purple
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Clay, loam, sand; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Speaking of elegant ladies, ‘Eveline’ could give ‘Lady Liberty’ a run for her money in the head-turning stakes.
This decorative dahlia boasts soft white petals unfurling in a spherical shape, while their outer edges have just been brushed with the slightest hint of a lilac hue.
It makes for an overall aesthetic that’s utterly mesmerising, and the prolific nature of its flowering period means there are plenty of blossoms to go around.
7) D. ‘Silver Years’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Silver Years’
- FLOWERS: White, pink and cream
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
This is a fully double-flowering decorative dahlia with soft contours and a scintillating colour combination.
The white petals are imbued with a subtle flush of pink, which intensifies in warmer weather and becomes even more noticeable at their extremities.
Capable of growing up to 1.5m in height, it’s one of the taller dahlias available, while the flower heads can command a diameter of 10cm in total.
As such, it’s invariably a darling among horticulturalists, wherever it’s placed.
8) D. ‘Eternal Snow’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Eternal Snow’
- FLOWERS: White
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
‘Eternal Snow’ is, as the name suggests, characterised by the purest of whites, though there is a noticeably greenish-yellow tint at the centre of the flowerhead.
12cm across, they bob serenely atop sturdy stems up to 1m in height, making for a truly relaxing spectacle.
The blossoms bear resemblance to waterlilies, making them an excellent choice for planting alongside ponds, fountains and other water features.
Cared for appropriately, they’ll produce stunning blooms until the first frosts.
9) D. ‘White Onesta’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘White Onesta’
- FLOWERS: White and yellow
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Clay, loam, sand; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Another waterlily-style dahlia, ‘White Onesta’ is most remarkable for the large dimensions of its flowering heads.
They most commonly boast a diameter of around 15cm, but on certain occasions can even reach an incredible 25cm!
As well as being oversized, the blossoms also last remarkably long even after being cut, which is why they’re such a popular option for placing in vases around the home.
10) D. ‘Karma Maarten Zwaan’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Karma Maarten Zwaan’
- FLOWERS: White and yellow
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Although not quite as prodigious as ‘White Onesta’, ‘Karma Maarten Zwaan’ is another waterlily-like dahlia with large blossoms of up to 15cm in diameter.
While it might be slightly smaller in size, it does boast more depth than its dinner-plate counterpart.
That’s due to the layer upon layer of petals that are gently ruffled underneath its soft yellow centre, providing additional intrigue for the casual observer.
Another which provides impressive longevity after cutting.
11) D. ‘Fleurel’
- COMMON NAME(S): Dahlia ‘Fleurel’
- FLOWERS: White and cream
- SOIL PREFERENCE: Any soil type; any pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 0.1-0.5m spread
Like the two aforementioned dahlias, ‘Fleurel’ is another variety prized for its colossal flower-heads.
With a maximum diameter of 20cm, the cultivar produces beautifully arranged petals in the purest white, with a suggestion of yellow at the centre casting a golden glow onto its blooms.
With this in mind, it’s no wonder that ‘Fleurel’ is among the most popular choices in wedding bouquets.
Nonetheless, it’s equally as popular with bees and butterflies as it is with brides, so it’s a superb way to encourage biodiversity in your garden, too.
