Bodacious Informal Decorative Dahlia

Bodacious Informal Decorative Dahlia

Meet Bodacious, the dinner-plate dahlia that lives up to its name in every sense. Imagine a furnace of fiery red-orange petals topped with flaming yellow edges—so intense they seem to flicker with inner light. Each bloom flares outward to nearly 11 inches across, forming a lush, informal decorative masterpiece that captivates the eye. Whether planted at the heart of your sunny border or displayed in bold cut flower bouquets, this variety brings unmistakable vibrancy and grandeur to your garden.

---

Details

• Form: Informal Decorative / Dinner-plate Dahlia

• Bloom Size: 11 inches (XXL)

• Plant Height: Tall (> 48″; typically 60″ / 5 ft) 

• Stem Strength: Strong—robust, upright growth that benefits from staking 

• Unicorn Status: Rare (an award-winning centerpiece variety, Derrill W. Hart medal recipient) 

• Primary Color: Fiery red-orange with yellow highlights 

• Secondary Color: Yellow tips and petal undersides (creating a fiery, double-toned effect) 

• Plant ID: 

---

A Bit of History

Bodacious isn’t just another garden dahlia—it’s a celebrated show-stopper, awarded the American Dahlia Society's Derrill W. Hart Medal for standout performance in trial gardens across North America . Introduced in the early 2000s, this cultivar features ideal traits: massive flowers, vibrant two-tone coloring, and vigorous growth. Gardeners prize it for its reliable midsummer to autumn bloom and its ability to steal the spotlight in any setting .

---

Ideal For

• Cut-flower gardens – bold statement stems with serious drama

• Sunny borders – perfect as a towering focal point in midsummer

• Exhibition displays – massive blooms that win attention

• Late-season color – continues flowering until frost for long-lasting impact

---

Pairs Well With

Cafe au Lait Dahlia – artistically soft neutral blooms for contrast

Beatrice (Ball Dahlia) – compact, spherical orange tones to mirror and balance

Ornamental grasses (e.g., Miscanthus or Panicum) – add airy texture and let the fiery blooms sing