Dahlias are breathtakingly gorgeous. These bold, bushy flowers have a history as dramatic as their appearance. Conquistadors found the dahlia in the gardens of the Aztecs and caused a sensation when they brought the flower back to Europe. As the dahlia gained popularity, the pursuit of its potato-like tubers was conducted with intrigue and deception—dahlia tubers were reportedly stolen even from the garden of the Empress Josephine.

These sought-after flowers display one bloom on each stem, making them the perfect focal flower for your bridal bouquet. This symmetrical flower makes a big impact and can be far less expensive than other popular wedding flowers. Why? The dahlias affordability is in large part due its comparatively long growing season. Some dahlias are seasonal, while others are offered year round.

With dozens of common varieties grown, including single-flowered, water lily-shaped, ball-shaped, and cactus-dahlias, there's no shortage of options to choose from in order to find a look you love for your wedding day. A perennial favorite is the Café au Lait dahlia, which comes in creamy pink, blush, peach ivory, and rose hues and is revered for its huge size. In fact, some florists refer to this variety as the dinner plate dahlia, since they can bloom to be as large as dinnerware.

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Dahlia

Examples

Season: summer–early fall

Colors: white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple

Scent: unscented

Meaning: gratitude, dignity, forever thine