Ball Dahlia 'Cornel' (Dahlia 'Cornel')

Ball dahlia 'Cornel' (Dahlia 'Cornel') is a perfectly formed, ball-type dahlia cultivar (Geerlings, 1992) with deep, velvety red flowers. A member of the Asteraceae family, it's a benchmark for exhibition and cut flowers.

Description

Bushy, tuberous perennial 3–4 feet tall. Leaves are compound, green. Flowers are fully double, ball-shaped, 3–4 inches, deep velvety red, with incurved petals forming a perfect sphere. Blooms mid-summer to frost. Long, strong stems.

Growing Conditions

• Zones: 8–11 (tubers lifted in colder zones).
• Light: Full sun.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic.
• Water: Consistent moisture; avoid wet foliage.
• Planting: Plant tubers 4–6 inches deep, 18–24 inches apart after frost.

Care & Maintenance

Stake. Pinch at 12 inches. Fertilize monthly. Lift tubers after frost in zones 7 and below; store cool, dry. Divide in spring.

Uses

Exhibition, cut flower gardens, borders. Perfect red ball.

Potential Issues

Spider mites, thrips, powdery mildew, tuber rot. Virus diseases. Staking essential.

A flawless, deep red sphere—the gold standard for ball dahlias.