Cafe au Lait

Botanical Name: Dahlia ‘Café au Lait’
Form: Informal Decorative / Dinnerplate
Bloom Size: 8 – 10 inches
Plant Height: 3 – 4 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Period: Mid to Late Season
Description:
The iconic Café au Lait dahlia is celebrated worldwide for its luxurious, oversized blooms and dreamy color palette. Each flower unfolds in creamy blush tones that blend seamlessly into soft shades of ivory, peach, and pale pink — occasionally touched with lavender or warm beige hues. The massive, silky petals create a lush, ruffled texture that has become a favorite among wedding designers and flower enthusiasts alike.
Despite their large size, the blooms hold well on strong stems, and the plants remain relatively compact, making them manageable both in the field and in garden beds. With consistent cutting, Café au Lait produces a steady flush of blooms throughout the late summer and fall, ensuring a continual display of timeless elegance.
Growing & Cut Notes:
Space plants 12 – 18 inches apart to ensure airflow and healthy foliage.
Pinch plants when they reach 12 inches tall to promote branching and more blooms.
Provide sturdy staking or netting — the large flowers can become heavy after rain.
Harvest when blooms are about three-quarters open for the best vase life and structure.
Dahlias are frost-tender — dig and store tubers after the first frost in colder climates.
Best For:
Wedding bouquets, event centerpieces, luxury floral arrangements, and statement garden borders.