Perfect companions for the flower bed: what plants go well with dahlias?

Dahlias are real stars in the garden – colourful, versatile and with a long flowering period from July until the first frost. To show them off to their best advantage, it is worth choosing companion plants that go well with them. It is important that they have similar requirements for location and soil. Here are some great combinations that not only look good but also get on well together.

Location & soil – what dahlias and their friends love

Dahlias like sun and warmth. The soil should be humus-rich, well-drained and evenly moist – they don’t like standing water. So when planting dahlias, choose companions with similar preferences. They can tolerate partial shade, but a sunny spot is ideal for full flowering.

1. Ornamental alliums

Ornamentalalliums add structure to the border early in the year and fade away before the dahlias come into their own. Their ornamental seed heads also provide beautiful accents between the dahlias later in the season.

Flowering time: May to June
Flower colour: Purple, pink, white Height: 60-120 cm
Care: Easy to care for, drought tolerant after flowering

2. Speedwell (Veronica) – a delicate dance of flowers

With its delicate flower heads, speedwell is both elegant and relaxed. The cool colours contrast beautifully with the often strong shades of dahlias.

Flowering time: June to August Colour: blue, purple, pink
Height: 30-70 cm
Care: Low maintenance, loves sunny spots and loose soil

3. Larkspur (Delphinium) – a majestic addition

Delphinium and Dahlia make a dramatic duo, perfect for large, textured beds with a real wow factor. Important: Larkspur loves a nutrient-rich soil and regular maintenance. The downside of this combination is that both plants are very popular with snails.

Flowering period: June to July (with a second flowering in late summer)
Flower colour: blue, purple, white, pink
Height: 100-180 cm
Care: Demanding – needs fertiliser, support and good soil

4. Cosmos – airy floral magic

Cosmos dances playfully among the dahlias – its delicate leaves leaving room for the sturdier dahlia stems. A simple combination with romantic flair.

Flowering period: June to October
Flower colour: pink, white, purple
Height: 80-150 cm
Care: Undemanding, likes sun and well-drained soil

5. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) – colourful partners

Zinnias and dahlias are a perfect match – both love the sun, add colour and are real summer heroes in the border. Ideal for natural or colourful country gardens.

Flowering period: July to October
Flower colour: Red, pink, yellow, orange, white
Height: 30-90 cm
Care: Sun-loving, tolerates drought well, likes a nutritious soil

6. Grasses – for structure and movement

Grasses bring calm to the dahlia border. Their fine stems and panicles dance in the breeze and effectively set off the dahlias – without stealing the show. Ideal varieties include fountain grass (Pennisetum), moor grass (Molinia) and reed grass (Calamagrostis).

Flowering period: August to October
Colour: Beige to reddish
Height: 60-100 cm
Care: Low maintenance, needs well-drained soil and sun

7. Asters (Aster) – a flash of colour in late summer

Asters are real late bloomers and bring fresh energy to the border from August – just when dahlias are really coming into their own. Combine compact varieties with low dahlias or tall asters as a backdrop to show off the gorgeous dahlia flowers. The colours harmonise beautifully – especially in shades of purple, pink or white.

Flowering period: August to October
Colour: pink, purple, blue, white
Height: 30-150 cm (depending on variety)
Care: Easy to care for, needs a sunny spot and fresh, nutritious soil

8. Caucasian Teucrium (Teucrium hircanicum) – an uncomplicated, long-flowering plant

The Caucasian Teucrium not only has beautiful, candle-like flowers, but is also a real paradise for insects. Its sturdy growth is a perfect match for the more ‘playful’ dahlias and creates a beautiful border structure – especially in a natural garden style.

Flowering time: June to September
Flower colour: Purple-purple Height: 40-60 cm
Care: Undemanding, drought tolerant, likes a sunny to partial shade position

9. Autumn anemone (Anemone hupehensis, A. × hybrida)

Delicate flowers, big impact. These anemones look particularly elegant with their floating flowers – they contrast beautifully with the strong dahlias and create a sense of lightness in the border. Give them plenty of space as they like to spread out over time.

Flowering time: August to October
Flower colour: pink, white Height: 60-120 cm
Care: Slightly demanding – prefers a humusy, well-drained soil in partial shade to sunny areas

Planting tips

For a harmonious combination, stagger the plants: taller plants in the back, smaller ones in the front. This gives each plant a chance to show off.

Coordinate colours: Create contrasts (e.g. purple and yellow) or stick to one colour scheme (e.g. pastels).
Combine care requirements: Group plants with similar water and nutrient requirements together.
Consider flowering time: Combine early, mid and late flowering partners for a long gardening year.
Feed regularly: Remember to add compost or organic fertiliser to the soil regularly.