To say that we love dahlias is a bit of an understatement. When it comes to collecting new dahlia varieties, I truly have an addiction!
If you’ve grown dahlias before, I’m sure you know what I mean if you haven’t, then let me invite you to give these fantastic plants a try. You won’t regret it! To help set you up for success, here are the best-of-the-best, the creme-de-la-creme, the varieties I would hands down recommend to anybody.
Here are my picks for 10 must-grow dahlias to add to your garden in 2026.
1. My Forever
My Forever made the top of our list last year, and it’s on top again for 2026! This waterlily dahlia had soft peachy tones and stole our hearts with its romantic blooms.
This variety, as with most waterlily-type dahlias, is shorter-lived as a cut flower, but we still used it in many wedding arrangements. So excited to grow this one again.
2. Ferncliff Copper
A lovely, reliable, large bloom with subtle peachy coloring. This one is always a standout in the garden, with tall, healthy plants. It also makes a fantastic cut flower.
3. Blizzard
I know, I know, Blizzard is not a “new and exciting” unicorn variety. But it has made my Top 10 list before, and it deserves a spot here. Blizzard is the most productive white dahlia that we grow.
With long stems for days on a reliable and healthy plant, Blizzard will not let you down.
4. Sugar Daddy
We love this dahlia! Sugar Daddy is a cute lil mini ball variety with golden-peach coloring. I’m excited to grow this one again!
A very productive bloomer with tall, healthy plants, the best yellow in our field this year.
5. Terracotta
Terracotta has been around for a while, both in the world at large and on our farm–and for good reason!
While not a fancy unicorn, this variety is a true workhorse. Terracotta pumps out the blooms and the tubers, and plants are always large and very vigorous.
6. Cafe au Lait Mini / Jolene
Love, love, love this smaller version of the classic Cafe au Lait. The miniature variety has the same great vanilla-buff coloring as its larger counterpart, but in a size that is perfect for bouquets.
Cafe au Lait Mini, also called Jolene, also makes a slightly smaller plant than Cafe au Lait–which makes it easier to manage in the garden.
7. Rose Toscano
Rose Toscano is a perfect little peachy ball. We love tucking this one into fall bridal bouquets–it’s a great soft color to bridge with brighter oranges. Plants are productive, though on the shorter side.
8. Summer Rain
Here’s a real unicorn for your collection. It took me years to get my hands on this rare variety, and it was worth the wait!
Summer Rain blooms large and in charge, with shaggy, textural petals, and subtle coloring that shifts from pink to peach to a touch of smoky lavender.
9. Totally Tangerine
This one is a little cutie! Plants are short, which makes them a great choice for container growing.
Totally Tangerine has a unique anemone form and beautiful dusty sunset coloring.
10. Clearview Peachy
This ball variety shifts its coloring over the growing season. Some blooms are a pale, almost-yellow peach. Some are more pink. Most are a color somewhere in between, like a peach mid-ripening.
Clearview Peachy is a reliable bloomer with tall plants, and flowers bloom on long laterals. A great cut flower.
Want more dahlia recommendations? See our 2025 picks!
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