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      21 Beautiful Red Dahlia Varieties For Your Flowerbeds

      Looking to add some bold color to your flower beds this season? Red dahlias can make a statement in just about any garden. In this article, gardening expert Liz Jaros looks at her favorite red dahlia varieties to add to your garden this season.

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      Written by Last updated: October 5, 2023 | 10 min read

      A beautiful dark red dahlia growing in the garden, planted in flowerbeds with green foliage behind the dark red bloom.

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      Red is the bold color of love, passion and courage. The dahlia is a gardener’s sweetheart with a big, bold personality and a classic appeal. Put the two together and you have a flower force to be reckoned with. Blooming prolifically from mid summer to late fall, dahlias endure long after many other plants in the landscape have retired for the season. In hues of red, they hold up well in the heat and give off tropical vibes.

      While dahlias are only perennially hardy in zones 8 through 11, they can be grown as annuals in zones 2-7. They can also be lifted from the ground in late fall and kept in cold storage until the next season. Dahlias can range in height, growing anywhere from 10 inches to 5 feet tall! Their blooms vary from just a couple of inches wide to almost a foot. The genus offers a little something for anyone looking for late season color.

      Work dahlias in shades of scarlet, wine, and crimson into your containers, cutting gardens, or mixed beds and they will certainly hog the garden spotlight. Read on for a look at some of our favorite red dahlias, and take note of the different types of dahlias that tickle your fancy.

      ‘Alva’s Doris’

      Dahlia 'Alva's Doris' flower blooming in a garden. 6-inch flower, double, with oblong thin and prickly petals arranged in several rows. Petals are dark red. In the background there are many large dissected leaves, oblong in shape.
      ‘Alva’s Doris’ has dark red semi-cactus-shaped flowers that will be a great addition to your garden.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Alva’s Doris’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      Semi-cactus in form, this cultivar will grow up to 4 feet tall, with spiky dark red blooms. The blooms will average between 4-6 inches in width.

      This variety is well known as a prolific bloomer, and as such, it’s often featured in exhibits and entered in flower shows. Include it in your cutting garden as it has a particularly long vase life.

      ‘Apache’

      Dahlia 'Apache' blooming in a green garden. The flower is large, bright red, double, in the form of a cactus because of its long, thin, twisted, fringed petals protruding from the middle of the flower. Drops of water on the petals of a flower. The background is blurry.
      Dahlia ‘Apache’ is a gorgeous variety of bright red flowers in the form of a cactus that grows up to 3 feet tall.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Apache’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-10

      A cactus-form dahlia, ‘Apache’ has bright red, fringy petals and centers. Blooms are typically 4-6 inches in diameter and look fantastic in groups. Although this cultivar grows to heights of 3 feet, it holds up well in rain and wind.

      Use it for a burst of color in an open space mixed beds or in the cutting garden. Deadhead diligently to promote new blooms and ‘Apache’ will keep flowering until the first frost.

      ‘Arabian Night’

      Dahlia 'Arabian Night' blooming in a green garden. The flower is deep red, almost black, large, double, with petals in several rows slightly curved inward. Petals are oval and slightly pointed at the end. Dahlias "Arabian Night" bloom on a blurred background.
      ‘Arabian Night’ blooms rich red flowers, almost black in color, with petals slightly curved inward.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Arabian Night’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      Fully double flowers are such a deep, rich red that they almost read black on this unique cultivar. Blooms span 4-6 inches in width and petals curve slightly inward giving Arabian Night’s flowers an orb-like presence atop their stems.

      Green bracts rim the center of these blooms and provide a striking contrast. Cut flowers have an extra long life when placed in a vase or floated in a bowl of water. The cultivar requires some shelter from the elements and some protection from the afternoon sun.

      ‘Aurora’s Kiss’

      Dahlia ‘Aurora’s Kiss’ blooming in a green garden. The flower is small, spherical, has a round, honeycomb shape with tubular petals of dark red color. The background is green and blurry.
      ‘Aurora’s Kiss’ is a small ball honeycomb-like dahlia flower with dark red tubular petals.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Aurora’s Kiss’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      This miniature ball dahlia has a round, honeycomb-like flowerhead with tubular petals in dark red. Blooms are small in size, maxing out at 4 inches. Stems are slender but long and should be staked for stability. Use ‘Aurora’s Kiss’ in the middle border with taller plants behind it and smaller, bushier plants in front.

      ‘Babylon Red’

      Dahlia 'Babylon Red' blooming in a green garden. The flower is deep red, large, double, with petals in several rows. Petals slightly elongated, oval, slightly wavy. The background is blurry.
      ‘Babylon Red’ has large double flowers of rich red color blooming in mid-summer.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Babylon Red’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      A big, bold star in the dinnerplate category, ‘Babylon Red’ features 8-inch, double blooms in fire engine red. Opening in mid-summer and lasting until the first frost, this cultivar is a cutting garden favorite and a cottage charmer.

      Plan to stake ‘Babylon Red’ and give it some insulation from high winds. Heavy blooms and long stems make it vulnerable to breakage. ‘Babylon Red’ prefers full sun, but will tolerate light shade in warmer regions. If possible, provide shelter from the hot afternoon sun.

      ‘Bishop of Auckland’

      Dahlia 'Bishop of Auckland' blooming against a green blurred background. The flower is bright red, large, solitary, with petals in a single row, similar to daisies, around black centers with a yellow border. Petals are rounded, dense, and fringed.
      ‘Bishop of Auckland’ is a single bright red daisy-like flower that makes a great addition to your flower garden.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Bishop of Auckland’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 2-3’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-10

      A single flower specimen with daisy-like petals surrounding black centers that are rimmed with yellow, this cultivar is often included in landscapes for its black to deep purple foliage and stems. Petals are bright red, leaning toward orange and blooms reach widths of 4 inches.

      Bishop of Auckland’s form is slightly bushier than many of its dahlia peers and it does not typically need staking. Its foliage provides nice contrast against green leafed varieties and also looks lovely in a vase.

      ‘Black Narcissus’

      Two Dahlia 'Black Narcissus' flowers blooming in a garden. 6-inch flower, double, with oblong thin and spiky petals pointed at the ends, arranged in several rows. The petals are dark red, almost black. Closer to the barely visible yellow center, there are many thin, unblown petals adjoin. The background of green dahlia leaves is blurred.
      ‘Black Narcissus’ produces magnificent dark red flowers, almost black, with thin and spiky petals.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Black Narcissus’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 4-5’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-10

      This semi-cactus dahlia features 6-inch flowers in a hue that resembles blood or dark red wine. Blooms can appear black at night, which explains the name. Petals are thin and spiky, and stems are long and strong.

      Use ‘Black Narcissus’ if you’re looking for a little drama in the garden. Pair it with other moody-hued plants for a stunning effect. Foliage is dark green and provides good contrast.

      ‘Boom Boom Red’

      Dahlia 'Boom Boom Red' blooming in a green garden. A dark red 5" rounded, globular flower with no open center that has twisted petals in a spiral pattern. The background is green and blurry.
      This variety of dahlia has spectacular large, spherical flowers consisting of twisted petals in the form of a spiral.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Boom Boom Red’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 2-3’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      Deep red, 5-inch blooms feature rolled petals in a spiral formation. The overall effect is a rounded, ball-like head with no exposed center.

      Boom boom’s habit is upright but bushy with pinnate, dark green leaves and strong stems. Cut flowers just before they open and this cultivar will last a very long time in a vase. 

      ‘Caliente’

      Dahlia 'Caliente' flowers blooming in a garden. 6-inch flower, double, with oblong petals pointed at the ends, arranged in several rows. Petals are spicy red with yellow tips. Background of green dahlia leaves is blurred.
      This is an incredibly beautiful variety that produces large flowers consisting of spicy red petals with yellow tips.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Caliente’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      Translating to the word ‘hot’ in Spanish, petals on this cultivar are bright red in color and the petals will sometimes have yellow tips. The blooms are about 6 inches wide and sit atop stems that will grow to about 3-4 in height. Long lasting after cutting, they are often a florist’s go-to.

      A formal decorative dahlia with a big personality, ‘Caliente’ commands attention in the back of mixed borders or in a vase full of mixed cut flowers. Remove spent blooms promptly and this one will keep blooming until late fall.

      ‘Chimborazo’

      Dahlia 'Chimborazo' blooming in a green garden. The flower is relatively small, 4-6 inches, with a single layer of flat, velvety red petals and an inner collar of small, miserable, white-tipped red petals. Its central disk is bright yellow. In the background, there are bright green dahlia leaves.
      This variety has a simple flower with flat velvet petals and an inner collar of small white and red petals.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Chimborazo’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      As a member of the collerette family of dahlias, ‘Chimborazo’ features a single layer of flat, velvet red petals and an inner collar of small, fingy red petals with white tips. Its central disk is bright yellow and easy to access, making this one a pollinator favorite.

      Bloom size is relatively small at 4-6 inches, but stems are long. Use ‘Chimborazo’ in the cutting garden or a mixed herbaceous border. Like many dahlias, this cultivar may induce gastrointestinal upset to dogs and cats, but can be eaten without issue by humans, large mammals, and birds.

      ‘Debora Renae’

      Dahlia 'Debora Renae' blooming in the garden. The 5-inch flower is large, double, with petals in several rows of deep red, almost burgundy. The petals have a velvety texture and a slightly wavy shape. The background is blurry.
      ‘Debora Renae’ blooms with 5-inch deep red, almost burgundy flowers.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Debora Renae’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 4-5’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      This cultivar has deep red, almost burgundy petals on 5-inch blooms. A water lily category dahlia, ‘Debora Renae’ has a graceful, arching form and is a delight in the landscape. Stems are exceptionally long at 4-5’, so place this one at the back of borders and give it some support.

      ‘Doris Day’

      Three Dahlia 'Doris Day' flowers blooming in a garden. 2-inch flowers, double, with pointed petals, round shape, in several rows of bright red. The centers are large and have yellow stripes. Several unopened buds on stems. The background is blurry.
      ‘Doris Day’ is a cactus variety that produces dramatically red flowers with pointed petals, round in shape.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Doris Day’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      This is a small cactus variety dahlia that offers an abundance of 2-inch, cardinal red blooms on strong, wiry stems. Petals are spiky and circular in form. Centers are large and feature yellow streaking. This cultivar will bloom repeatedly and abundantly if deadheaded regularly.

      ‘Duet’

      Dahlia 'Duet' blooming in a green garden. The flower is large, double, with petals in several rows. Wine red petals with distinct white tips. In the background are green dahlia leaves.
      This gorgeous bicolor variety produces double flowers with wine-red petals and crisp white tips.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Duet’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 2-3’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      This striking, bi-color dahlia features double blooms up to 8 inches wide. Petals are a wine-colored red at the center with crisp white tips. They are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies.

      For best effect, plant ‘Duet’ in a group of 3 or 5. It also works well in a cutting garden or mixed container arrangement. In warmer zones, provide some relief from intense afternoon sun.

      ‘Ellen Huston’

      Dahlia 'Ellen Huston' flower in bloom against a backdrop of a blooming garden. A 4-inch double flower of bright scarlet color with oval petals arranged in several rows with slightly pointed edges. The leaves are large, dissected, oblong in shape. There are many red dahlias in bloom in the background.
      ‘Ellen Huston’ has bright scarlet flowers and bronze to dark green foliage.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Ellen Huston’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 1-2’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      A short-stature, border dahlia and a profuse bloomer, ‘Ellen Huston’ features bright scarlet blossoms that are between 3 and 4 inches wide. Stems and flowers hold up well in the rain. Foliage is bronze to dark green, offsetting blooms and other foliage dramatically.

      Use this cultivar in border fronts, container arrangements, and cutting gardens. No need to stake. Stay on top of deadheading, as blooms will replenish quickly with proper maintenance.

      ‘Jowey Cherbourg’

      Dahlia 'Jowey Cherbourg' flowers blooming in a garden. 6-inch double flowers, crimson red with oval petals arranged in several rows with slightly pointed edges tinged with yellow. There are many red dahlias in bloom in the background.
      This variety of dahlia has large double flowers, raspberry red with yellow or white tips at the ends of the petals.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Jowey Cherbourg’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 2-3’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-10

      This relatively new cultivar features 6-inch, crimson red, double blooms with yellow to white tips at the end of each petal. Centers are bold and yellow, drawing bees and butterflies to the garden. Leaves are slender and ovate.

      Strong stems do not require staking if ‘Jowey Cherbourg’ is protected from harsh winds or located in the middle border. Give this one good drainage and plenty of space as it will spread up to 2 feet wide.

      ‘Melody Mambo’

      Two Dahlia 'Melody Mambo' flowers blooming in a garden. 4-inch globose flowers, double, with oval twisted petals in a spiral, in several rows of ruby ​​red and with an almost black center. The background is blurry.
      ‘Melody Mambo’ produces ruby ​​red flowers with wavy petals and an almost black center.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Melody Mambo’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 1-2’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      A compact plant with full size flowers, ‘Melody Mambo’ has sturdy, 1 foot stems with ruby red, 4-inch blossoms. Petals are wavy and centers are almost black. Foliage is a deep, dark green.

      Use this cultivar along walkways or in the middle border. It also holds up well in containers and has an extra long vase life. Provide some protection from the afternoon sun in warmer climates.

      ‘Pulp Fiction’

      Dahlia 'Pulp Fiction' blooming in the garden. A bright red flower, 2-inch. The flower is simple with petals arranged in two rows around dark red centers. Large and dark button centers with an outer ring of smaller yellow petals. The background is blurry.
      This dwarf dahlia variety has 2-inch bright red single flowers.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Pulp Fiction’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 1’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      Another dwarf offering, ‘Pulp Fiction’ features 2-inch, bright red, single flowers and a height of about 1 foot. Button centers that are large and dark with an outer ring of smaller yellow petals give pollinators easy access.

      Foliage is dark green to burgundy and contrasts nicely with bright green dahlia varieties in a mixed border or display. This perennial flower blooms well into the fall, and it will flower abundantly on the perimeter of a mounded form.

      ‘Red Carpet Border’

      Two Dahlia 'Red Carpet Border' flowers blooming in a garden. 2-inch flowers, double, with oval petals pointed at the ends, in several rows of bright red. Several unopened buds on stems in the background. The background is blurry.
      This gorgeous species produces numerous red flower heads that create a red carpet effect.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Red Carpet Border’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 6 to 12 inches
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-10

      ‘Red Carpet Border’ dahlias are small in stature at less than a foot tall, but they make up for it in bloom quantity and size. Flower heads are typically 4-5 inches wide and so abundant, they create a red carpet effect. Foliage is dark green and contrasts nicely with this cultivar’s crimson blooms.

      Use it in front borders or in container arrangements for a sprawling or cascading effect. Divide every few years to extend this unusual dwarf cultivar throughout your yard.

      ‘Scura’

      Dahlia 'Scura' blooming in a green garden. The Scura flower is 1 to 4 inches wide and deep red in color. The flower is simple with petals arranged in a single row around dark red centers. The background is blurry.
      ‘Scura’ is excellent for growing in containers, as it does not need additional supports.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Scura’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 1-2’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-10

      A more delicate member of the dahlia family in the mignon single class category, Scura’s blooms are typically between 1 and 4 inches wide and deep red in color. Small in stature, this cultivar reaches heights of just over 1 foot, making it a true ‘dwarf.’

      ‘Scura’ works well in containers as it has a more rounded form than many other dahlia varieties and does not need staking. Keep moist but do not overwater, and locate them somewhere that gets a bit of shade in the afternoon.

      ‘Spartacus’

      Dahlia 'Spartacus' blooming against a green garden. The flower is bright red with a rich crimson hue, large, double, with petals in several rows. The petals have a velvety texture and a wavy shape. The leaves are large, dissected, oblong, green.
      ‘Spartacus’ produces decorative showy flowers in a rich crimson hue with a velvety petal structure.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Spartacus’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 4-5’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-11

      Flower heads can be up to 10 inches wide on this showy, informal decorative category dahlia. Petals are velvety in texture and wavy in form. Blooms are such a rich, crimson hue that they almost appear black.

      ‘Spartacus’ has a large presence in the landscape atop stems that are 4-5 feet tall. Stake for stability and deadhead diligently to encourage repeat blooms, and this one will keep dazzling until the first frost.

      ‘Zorro’

      Dahlia 'Zorro' blooming in a green garden. The flower is bright red, large, double, with petals in several rows slightly curved inwards. Petals are oval, slightly pointed at the end. The background is blurry.
      This late-blooming variety produces magnificent double flowers in bright red.
      Scientific Name: Dahlia ‘Zorro’
      • Plant Type: Tuber, perennial
      • Geographic Origin: Central and South America, Mexico
      • Plant Height: 3-4’
      • Sun Exposure: Full sun
      • Hardiness Zone: 8-10

      Featuring double blooms that are almost a foot wide and a petal color that is so rich and dark, they lean toward purple, ‘Zoro’ demands attention in the landscape. A late bloomer, this cultivar should be planted with other perennials or dahlias that produce an earlier flower.

      Zoro’s size and mass make it an obvious back border choice for mixed beds. Heavy blooms and long stems mean it will require staking. Foliage is slender and light green, providing a nice contrast with rich, dark blooms.

      Final Thoughts

      Dahlias bloom in many different colors. Cultivars blooming in the red color will add a bit of bold flare to your garden. You can layer them with softer hued varieties for some additional “pop” in your garden. With so many different red cultivars available, the only hard part is choosing one (or more!) to try.

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