Ball dahlia varieties

Ball dahlias have round blooms with uniform florets that are rolled inward for most of their length and reflex back toward the stem, as the American Dahlia Society defines the form. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
7
Height
2½–4 ft (76–122 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 8–11
Form

7 Ball

Compare all 7 side by side

All 7 ball dahlia varieties

A Brown Sugar dahlia flower up close on the plant Brown Sugar Ball dahlia with rusty red-orange 3-4 in blooms fading to terracotta, on 30-36 in plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall2½–3 ft (76–91 cm)
A Cornel Bronze dahlia flower up close on the plant Cornel Bronze Ball dahlia with 4-inch bronze blooms on compact 3.5-foot plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½ ft (107 cm)
A Cornel dahlia flower up close on the plant Cornel Dark red ball dahlia with 4-inch blooms on strong straight stems, 3.5 to 4 ft tall. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½–4 ft (107–122 cm)
A Ivanetti dahlia flower up close on the plant Ivanetti Ball dahlia with dark purple 4 in blooms on 3.5 ft plants, introduced 1999. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½ ft (107 cm)
A Jowey Winnie dahlia flower up close on the plant Jowey Winnie Ball dahlia blending dusky pink, peach and mango with a plum center, on 36 in plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3 ft (91 cm)
A Linda's Baby dahlia flower up close on the plant Linda's Baby Ball dahlia with round 3-4 in dusky rose-pink to peach blooms. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3–3½ ft (91–102 cm)
A Sunny Boy dahlia flower up close on the plant Sunny Boy Yellow ball dahlia with red-rimmed petals, 3-inch blooms on 40-inch plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½ ft (102 cm)

How to choose

  1. Check the flower size on each variety's record. The American Dahlia Society separates ball and miniature ball dahlias by size alone, and miniature balls are recorded as their own form.

  2. Compare the Height column before you decide where the plants go in the bed.

  3. Use the color filter to narrow the list to the shades you want.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Brown Sugar Ball 2½–3 ft (76–91 cm) 8–10 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Cornel Ball 3½–4 ft (107–122 cm) 8–10 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Cornel Bronze Ball 3½ ft (107 cm) 8–10 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Ivanetti Ball 3½ ft (107 cm) 8–10 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Jowey Winnie Ball 3 ft (91 cm) 9–11 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Linda's Baby Ball 3–3½ ft (91–102 cm) 9–11 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Sunny Boy Ball 3½ ft (102 cm) 8–10 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a ball and a pompon dahlia?

The American Dahlia Society describes pompon florets as rolled inward for their whole length and says that, except for size, pompons are similar to the ball description.

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