9 long-lasting pompon dahlias

‘Cornel’

Cherry-red flowers about 10cm (4in) across are slightly darker in the centre and packed with petals. Productive, reliable and weather resistant. Good for mixed borders, patio pots and cutting. Pinch out the growing points to give smaller, but more flowers . H: 4ft (1.2m).

‘Moor Place’

This highly productive variety features small 2in (5cm) flowers, in a sumptuous wine-purple shade, slightly darker in the centre, the petals rolling back right under the flower to make an elegant symmetrical shape. Good for the front of mixed borders, exhibition and cutting. H: 40in (1m).

‘Small World’ AGM

“Hands down, the best white dahlia we’ve ever grown,” says a top grower. Productive over a long period. The stems are long and flowers are weatherproof. Good for cutting and mixed borders. Deadhead as the browning petals detract from flowers that follow. H: 5ft (1.5m).

‘Franz Kafka’

Forming flower heads like slightly flattened spheres 2-3in (5-8cm) across, the shell-like lilac pink petals are tightly packed, beautifully arranged and repay close inspection. Good for cottage gardens, mixed borders, large patio pots and cut flowers. H: 32in (80cm).

‘Nuland’s Josephine’

“A colour reminiscent of rhubarb and custard,” says one top nursery. Each shell-shaped floret in the 3in (7cm) flowers is a rich rosé-wine shade on the outside, and peachy-gold on the inside. Good for a mixed border, and as a cut flower. Plant in front of a silver-leaved shrub. H: 3ft (90m).

‘Willo’s Borealis’

The pompons are filled with lavender florets, darker in the centre at first and then developing a yellow eye as flowers mature. Good for a themed display of pompon dahlias, cutting and exhibition. Pinch once to prompt a good crop of long-stemmed flowers. H: 4ft (1.2m).

‘Kasasagi’

Uniquely bicoloured 2in (5cm) flowers have bright-yellow centres, each small floret maturing to bright yellow with rich orange backs and edges – and all held on orange-tinted stems. Good for mixed borders, cutting and will sparkle in a sunny border. H: 32in (80cm).

‘Rhonda Suzanne’ AGM

Neat little green-eyed flowers, with the florets in a tight symmetrical pattern, are a slightly variable blend of rich purple and white. Good for mixed borders and cutting, especially small posies. Expect variations in the richness of the purple depending on the weather and rainfall. Height: 4ft (1.2m).

‘Willo’s Violet’

Similar to ‘Willo’s Borealis’ (left), but a noticeably darker and richer shade with a few flashes of white at its heart. Good for exhibition, cutting, and themed display of pompon dahlias. Pinch once to prompt a good crop of long-stemmed flowers. H: 4ft (1.2m).