Name: Dahlia
Latin Name: Dahlia pinnata
Season: End of spring through summer, with June, July, and August being peak months
Meaning: Enduring Grace, Strength, Creativity
Origins: Mexico, brought to Europe during the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century
Since 1963, the dahlia has been the national flower of Mexico. It’s easy to see why – these pretty flowers come in a range of vibrant hues and their typical multi-petaled blossoms are captivating. They are edible and are used today in Oaxacan cuisine.
Because they lay dormant in the winter and spring back with bright colors in the summer, dahlias have come to symbolize summer itself as well as endurance and constancy. They can take on dual meanings in the language of flowers when paired with other blossoms – slender flowers like tulips and irises can lend your bouquet the message of ‘temper your adventures with a kind heart.’
These herbaceous perennial flowers are related to sunflowers, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. With 42 different varieties, it’s easy to include dahlias in your wedding arrangement. More complicated and petaled versions, like the ones above, are the most common breeds we see in things like bouquets and centerpieces, but simpler, more daisy-like dahlias also exist and pair well with complicated varieties. Or have a whole bouquet of single-layered dahlias for a rustic, breezy wedding style.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Flower Glossary for all your wedding flower needs.