Dinnerplate dahlia varieties

Dinnerplate dahlias are the two largest size classes of the American Dahlia Society, Giant (AA) with blooms over 10 inches and Large (A) with blooms of 8 to 10 inches. The table below compares every variety we list side by side.

Varieties
10
Height
3–4½ ft (91–137 cm)
Hardiness
USDA zones 8–11
Form

7 Informal decorative

2 Formal decorative

1 Semi-cactus

Compare all 10 side by side

All 10 dinnerplate dahlia varieties

A Emory Paul dahlia flower up close on the plant Emory Paul Giant informal decorative dahlia, 12-14 in rosy purple-pink blooms, introduced 1962. Late summer, Fall4 ft (122 cm)Informal decorative
A Grand Finale dahlia flower up close on the plant Grand Finale Semi-cactus dinnerplate dahlia with 10 in wine-colored blooms. Late summer, Fall4 ft (122 cm)Semi-cactus
A Kelvin Floodlight dahlia flower up close on the plant Kelvin Floodlight Bright yellow dinnerplate dahlia with blooms up to 10 inches on 40-inch plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½ ft (102 cm) Formal decorative (estimated)
A Mango Madness dahlia flower up close on the plant Mango Madness Orange informal decorative dahlia with 11-inch blooms on compact 3.5 ft plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½ ft (107 cm)Informal decorative
A Otto's Thrill dahlia flower up close on the plant Otto's Thrill Informal decorative dahlia with 10-inch coral pink blooms on 4-foot plants. Late summer, Fall4 ft (122 cm)Informal decorative
A Penhill Watermelon dahlia flower up close on the plant Penhill Watermelon Dinnerplate informal decorative dahlia, 10+ in blooms of peach, pink and lavender. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3½–4 ft (102–122 cm)Informal decorative
A Purple Taiheijo dahlia flower up close on the plant Purple Taiheijo Purple informal decorative dahlia with 12-inch blooms on a compact 3-foot plant. Late summer, Fall3 ft (91 cm)Informal decorative
A Snowbound dahlia flower up close on the plant Snowbound White informal decorative dahlia with 9-inch blooms on 4-foot plants. Late summer, Fall4 ft (122 cm)Informal decorative
A Spartacus dahlia flower up close on the plant Spartacus Black-red informal decorative dahlia with 9-inch blooms, a longtime exhibition variety. Late summer, Fall4½ ft (137 cm)Informal decorative
A White Perfection dahlia flower up close on the plant White Perfection White formal decorative dinnerplate dahlia with 8-10 inch blooms on 3-4 foot plants. Midsummer, Late summer, Fall3–4 ft (91–122 cm)Formal decorative

How to choose

  1. Check the Height column and plan a stake for each plant. Oregon State University Extension says dahlias taller than 36 inches usually need stakes, and UGA Extension recommends stakes at least 6 feet long driven about 1 foot into the ground.

  2. Use the size filter to separate Giant (AA) from Large (A) varieties if you want the biggest blooms only.

  3. Compare the Form column. A dinnerplate class describes bloom diameter, so the petal shape still differs from one variety to the next.

Compare side by side

Color Sunlight
Emory Paul Informal decorative 4 ft (122 cm) 8–10 Late summer, Fall Full sun
Grand Finale Semi-cactus 4 ft (122 cm) 8–10 Late summer, Fall Full sun
Kelvin Floodlight Formal decorative (estimated) 3½ ft (102 cm) 9–11 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Mango Madness Informal decorative 3½ ft (107 cm) 8–10 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Otto's Thrill Informal decorative 4 ft (122 cm) 8–10 Late summer, Fall Full sun
Penhill Watermelon Informal decorative 3½–4 ft (102–122 cm) 9–11 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun
Purple Taiheijo Informal decorative 3 ft (91 cm) 8–10 Late summer, Fall Full sun
Snowbound Informal decorative 4 ft (122 cm) 8–10 Late summer, Fall Full sun
Spartacus Informal decorative 4½ ft (137 cm) 8–10 Late summer, Fall Full sun
White Perfection Formal decorative 3–4 ft (91–122 cm) 9–11 Midsummer, Late summer, Fall Full sun

Values marked like this (estimated) are estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to disbud dinnerplate dahlias?

UGA Extension calls disbudding a vital cultural practice, which means removing some of the flower and growth buds on each stem. Oregon State University Extension advises removing the outer two of the three buds that form at the end of each branch.

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