Pompon & ball dahlias

Pompon dahlias and ball dahlias are recognised by their rounded flower heads and tightly arranged petals, but the two groups have subtly different characters. Pompon dahlias are smaller and more compact, often forming near-perfect spheres, while ball dahlias produce larger blooms with a similarly structured, rolled-petal form. Both bring a clear sense of shape to summer planting, making them especially useful among looser flowers and grasses where their geometry can stand in contrast.

The flowers are carried on strong stems from midsummer into autumn, which also makes pompon and ball dahlias valuable for cutting. Smaller pompons sit naturally in mixed bouquets, while larger ball forms provide more weight and structure. Plant the tubers in spring after the risk of frost has passed, choosing a sunny position in fertile, well-drained soil. Regular cutting and deadheading encourages the pompon dahlia plants to keep forming buds as the season progresses.

In the border, their strength comes from repetition. A run of rounded flower heads can create rhythm between taller perennials, while mixed varieties introduce changes in scale without losing the shared form. Colours of pompon dahlias and ball dahlias range from pale creams and soft pastels to stronger reds, purples, oranges and near-black tones, giving plenty of scope to build a considered scheme. In colder UK gardens, lift and store the tubers frost free after the first frosts, then bring them back into growth the following spring.