Is a Delilah a Flower? Unpacking the Delilah Dahlia Series

Gardeners love dahlias for their incredible diversity and showy summertime blooms. With so many sizes, colors, and forms to choose from, there’s a dahlia for every taste. One popular series within the vast array of dahlia offerings is the Delilah series. But what exactly is a Delilah dahlia?

In this article, we’ll explore what makes the Delilah dahlias unique and clear up some common confusion about whether Delilah is its own distinct flower type.

What is a Delilah Flower?

In simple terms, a Delilah flower refers to any of the cultivars within the Delilah series of dahlia breeds. Delilah is not a separate flower species, but rather a brand name for a specific group of dahlia cultivars.

All dahlias belong to the genus Dahlia, which contains around 40 species and over 20,000 cultivars. They are herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America.

The Delilah dahlias are a series of cultivars carefully developed by a company called Dümmen Orange. As a brand, Delilah offers dahlias in a wide color palette of vivid shades like pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, white and bicolor blends.

Delilah is a brand name, not a distinct flower type
Delilah refers to a series of dahlia cultivars
These are cultivated varieties of the botanical Dahlia genus

Delilah Dahlia Features

Though not a separate dahlia species, Delilah cultivars do have some signature features that set them apart in the world of dahlias

Plant Size

Delilah dahlias are bred to be compact plants ranging from 10 to 28 inches tall Their petite size makes them ideal for containers

Bloom Size & Form

The blooms measure 2 to 5 inches across, with most around 3-4 inches. Delilah offers a mix of flower types, including single, anemone, collarette, and decorative forms.

Colors

Vibrant, saturated hues are a Delilah trademark. They showcase rich purples, pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, and whites. Bicolors and blends are also available.

Early Blooming

Delilah dahlias are bred to be early bloomers, with some varieties starting as early as mid-summer. This extends the dahlia season.

Disease Resistance

The Delilah series emphasizes disease resistance, making them low maintenance for home gardeners.

Delilah Dahlia Varieties

Here are a few of the most popular varieties within the Delilah dahlia lineup:

Delilah Velvet – A mustard and black single dahlia with unique velvety petals. Grows 16-20 inches tall.
Delilah Fabulous– Vibrant double blooms emerge a blend of fuchsia, purple, white, and yellow. About 20 inches tall.
Delilah Anastasia – Large 4-5 inch lavender-pink single blooms on plants up to 28 inches tall.

Delilah Raspberry Fizz – Collarette-type flowers in raspberry pink with yellow centers. Quite petite at just 12 inches tall.
Delilah Twinkle – Cheery double blooms of sunny yellow on compact 10-12 inch plants.

Grow Delilah Dahlias for maximum impact

Here are a few tips to grow Delilah dahlias successfully:

Plant in full sun in well-draining soil. Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Give regular water during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Water deeply and less frequently as plants mature.

Stake taller varieties and pinch buds to encourage bushiness. Deadhead spent blooms for continuous flowering.
Divide tubers and replant each spring after the threat of frost has passed. You can also store the tubers over winter indoors.
Apply a general purpose fertilizer when growth emerges in spring and again midway through the season.

Ask an Expert: What’s Special About Delilah Dahlias?

On a popular gardening forum, a user named DahliaDreams asked:

“What makes Delilah dahlias unique compared to other dahlia series and varieties? Are they really that different?”

The user SunnyDayDahlias replied:

“The Delilah brand offers a few key things that make them stand out. First is their focus on compact plant sizes under 3 feet, which work beautifully in containers and small spaces. They also breed for early and continuous flowering from mid-summer into fall. Their emphasis on disease resistance and vibrant colors in both single and double bloom types is fantastic too. So all around, they’re a solid quality series of dahlias with petite sizes suited to today’s gardens!”

The Takeaway on Delilah Dahlias

While Delilah is not its own special flower type, it is an exceptional series within the diverse dahlia genus. This brand offers a versatile array of flower forms, bold colors, compact plant sizes, prolific blooms, and disease resistance. In a nutshell:

Delilah refers to a branded series of dahlia cultivars, not a separate flower species.
Key traits include vibrant colors, early blooming, petite sizes, and disease resistance.

There are Delilah dahlias suited to gardens, pots, and bouquets.
When grown properly, Delilah dahlias provide a big floral impact for little space!

So if you’re seeking an easy yet dazzling dahlia for compact gardens and containers, explore the versatile Delilah collection.

Are Dahlias Perennials or Annuals?

Dahlias are tender perennials in their native warm climate of Mexico. In the U. S. , they are considered perennials in hardiness zones 8 and higher. See the USDA hardiness zone page.

However, in colder regions (zones 7 and lower), dahlias are treated as annuals. That said, some gardeners have had luck keeping the dahlias in the ground in zones 6 and 7.

If you live in a cold area, you can also just dig up the tubers after the first frost and keep them in your garage until spring. Learn how to dig up dahlias in the guide below. Read Next.

Dahlias do best with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight, preferably in the morning. They also do better when they are out of the wind. Consider their size at maturity when planting. They grow best in rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6. 0 to 7. 5. Old manure or compost can be added to heavy clay soil to make it lighter and more porous so that water can drain better.

Planting, Growing, and Caring for Dahlias

Dahlias are breathtakingly gorgeous flowers that come in every color of the rainbow. The tubers are planted in late spring. Learn more about planting, growing, and caring for dazzling dahlia flowers.

It’s like going through a button box to choose your favorite dahlia. The flowers come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny 2-inch pompoms that look like lollipops to huge 15-inch “dinner plates.” ” Most varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall. Dahlias can be white, yellow, orange, pink, dark pink, red, dark red, lavender, purple, black, light blend, bronze, flame, dark blend, variegated, or bicolor.

Dahlia is a genus of tuberous plants that are members of the Asteraceae family. Plant the tubers in the ground in late spring, around May. They usually flower from July until the first frost in the fall. Dahlias are perfect for a border garden and make lovely cut flowers. Growing vegetables? Put a row of dahlias on the border, where they will not shade your edibles.

How to Grow Dahlias – From Tubers to Gorgeous Blooms – A Complete Guide // Northlawn Flower Farm

FAQ

What does the flower delilah mean?

Today, dahlia flowers symbolize beauty, commitment, and kindness. They’re also tied to steadfastness, due to their ability to bloom after many other flowers have died.

What color is a Delilah flower?

Dahlia Colors: Short Answer Some of the most popular colors are red, orange, yellow, purple, white and green. The only color dahlias do not come in is blue. Bottom line is that you have many different colored flowers to choose from, and many dahlias are actually a mix of two different colors at a time.

Is Delia a type of flower?

As a member of the Asteraceae (synonym name: Compositae) family of dicotyledonous plants, its relatives include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. There are 49 species of dahlia, with flowers in almost every hue (except blue), with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants.

What is Mexico’s national flower?

Dahlia was officially declared Mexico’s national flower in 1963, a tribute to its connection to the country’s history and national identity. Dahlia’s journey began in the mountains of Mexico and Central America, where it swiftly evolved into a symbol of power and life.

What is a Delilah flower?

The roots, bulbs, and leaves of the Delilah flower contain various bioactive compounds that can have therapeutic effects on the body, such as reducing inflammation, easing pain, and promoting healing. One of the main active compounds in the Delilah flower is salicylic acid, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Are Dalilah dahlias perennials?

Dahlias are herbaceous perennial plants native to Mexico and Central America, and they are prized for their wide variety of bloom shapes, sizes, and colors. Delilah dahlias are known for their large, double blooms in shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow, and they are a popular choice for cut flower arrangements and garden displays.

How long do Delilah flowers last?

To sum up, delilah flowers are beautiful and make great additions to your garden. They love water and the sun. Thriving in moderate climates, these flowers can brighten up your home, whether you make delilah-only bouquets or you combine them with other flowers. They can last up to seven days when properly cared for.

Are dahlia flowers cut?

Dahlia flowers are a popular addition to our gardens and containers. They are also popular as cut flowers. Blooming in summer and early fall, Dahlia flowers can be single or double, as small as 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, or as large as a dinner plate, up to one foot (30 cm).