Discover the living stories behind Cornwall’s unique dahlias, heritage UK favourites, and RHS-awarded standouts—plus expert planting tips to bring their colour and history into your garden, showbench, or summer bouquet.
Dahlias aren’t just garden showstoppers—they’re living stories of breeding, tradition, and artistry. From iconic Cornish-bred varieties to RHS Award of Garden Merit winners and beloved heritage cultivars, this guide celebrates the dahlias that have shaped borders, exhibitions, and cutting gardens across the UK—and particularly Cornwall.
Cornwall’s temperate climate and rich horticultural heritage have made it a haven for dahlia breeding. With the National Dahlia Collection rooted firmly in Cornish soil, this region continues to be a crucible of creativity and tradition in dahlia cultivation.
A fimbriata with flamboyant purple blooms and finely split, recurved petals, ‘Cornwall Island’ stands as a symbol of modern Cornish breeding. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, a testament to both beauty and resilience. Known for withstanding Cornwall’s salt-laden winds, its flowers ripple with energy in mixed borders—a living firework in bloom.
Bred by the renowned Cornish grower Ian Clemens, this exhibition decorative is a study in precision and elegance. With large, crisp white blooms and perfectly symmetrical form, it dominates regional shows and has become a proud ambassador of Cornish horticultural excellence. Often spotted on competition benches, its clean lines and robust stems make it a show grower’s dream.
With rich magenta petals kissed with a golden centre, ‘Cornish Ruby’ is a local favourite—bold enough for show, yet friendly enough for every garden. Its resilience against Cornish damp and its vibrant color make it both a border star and a reliable performer for Southwest growers.
Dahlia lovers across the UK treasure varieties steeped in history, their petals carrying echoes of past gardeners, breeders, and floral exhibitions.
| Variety | Type | Origin/Story | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop of Llandaff | Single | Wales, 1924—named after the Bishop of Llandaff | Bold red blooms, dark foliage, pollinator magnet |
| Arabian Night | Decorative | Germany, 1950s | Deep burgundy blooms, moody border favourite |
| Café au Lait | Decorative | France, 1960s | Creamy blush, wedding icon, social media star |
| Dahlia merckii | Species | Wild origin, naturalised in UK gardens | Delicate, airy single blooms, self-seeding charm |
| Spartacus | Dinnerplate | USA | Gladiatorial blooms over 25 cm, competition legend |
These aren’t just flowers—they’re companions in the British gardening tradition, each with its own heritage of hands that grew, hybridised, and showcased them.
The RHS AGM is more than a badge—it’s a guarantee of garden worthiness, judged on vigour, flowering, pest resistance, and beauty.
Cornish and National AGM Favourites:
| Colour Group | Top Varieties | Ideal Use |
| Bold Reds | Bishop of Llandaff, Cornel, Arabian Night, Spartacus | Drama-packed borders, cutting gardens |
| Cream & Neutrals | Café au Lait, Happy Days Cream, Sweet Nathalie | Romantic schemes, floral arrangements |
| Pinks & Magentas | Labyrinth, Roxy, Cornish Ruby | Cottage-style borders, pollinator gardens |
| Oranges & Peaches | New Baby, Totally Tangerine, David Howard | Warm-toned plantings, mixed beds |
| Yellows & Creams | Kelvin Floodlight, Glorie van Heemstede | Bright border backdrops, statement planting |
| Purples & Blues | Cornwall Island, Hapet Blue Sea | Cool contrasts, dramatic accents |
| Bi-Colours | Jescot Flame, Peaches N’ Cream | Bold features, colourful mixed borders |
Bred in 1924 by Cardiff’s Fred Treseder and named after Bishop Joshua Pritchard Hughes, this striking red single is more than a garden beauty—it’s a piece of Welsh and Southwest history. Its pollinator-friendly blooms and dark foliage make it a timeless favourite, thriving from Cornish coastlines to city plots.
Born in France but crowned on Instagram, this creamy blush giant became the darling of wedding florists and social media alike. Its color-shifting petals offer soft, romantic tones that change with weather and soil—a botanical chameleon that’s stolen hearts worldwide.
With blooms the size of dinner plates and a name evoking rebellion and strength, ‘Spartacus’ cuts a dramatic figure in exhibitions. Bred in the USA, it’s a regular “Best in Show” winner, its petals unfurling into perfect, velvety rounds that captivate judges and gardeners alike.
A UK-born marvel from Jescot Nursery, this orange-red bicolour was the result of a natural sport, patiently stabilised by breeders. Its flame-like petals bring autumn borders alive, marrying bold color with British breeding craftsmanship.
Every dahlia carries a story—of a breeder’s vision, a gardener’s hand, or a region’s love for bold colour and vibrant life. Whether you’re planting a cutting garden, entering the showbench world, or simply seeking a splash of reliable summer beauty, these unique and heritage dahlias offer both roots and resilience.
Their petals are pages in an unfolding story—one that every gardener in Cornwall, and beyond, is invited to write.
