Bloomquist Sporty - Fall

Bloomquist Sporty is one of those dahlias that brings instant energy to the field. The blooms open in a warm buttery yellow, then finish with a fine red to rosy-pink edge that makes every petal look as though it has been carefully outlined by hand.

Its semi-cactus form gives the flower plenty of movement. The petals are narrow and slightly rolled, creating a lively, spiky silhouette that feels much lighter than a traditional decorative dahlia. At approximately 6–8 inches across, Sporty has enough size to serve as a focal flower while still keeping that airy, energetic look.

In our market bouquets, I love using Bloomquist Sporty when I want warm color with a little extra personality. It pairs beautifully with peach, cream, coral, rust, burgundy, and soft pink, and that red edging gives me another color to pull through the rest of the bouquet.

For our local florists, this is the kind of flower that offers both scale and texture. The larger bloom makes an impact, while the semi-cactus petals add movement alongside round ball and decorative dahlias. It is especially useful in garden-style arrangements where I want the flowers to feel layered rather than overly structured.

For wedding work, Bloomquist Sporty works especially well in late-summer and early-fall palettes. Mixed with peach and cream it feels warm and romantic; paired with deeper reds, rust, and burgundy, the red-edged petals become much more noticeable and give the arrangement a richer seasonal feel.

What I enjoy most about Bloomquist Sporty is that it is cheerful without being simple. The buttery yellow color would be beautiful on its own, but that fine red edge gives every bloom a little more character and makes it immediately recognizable in the cutting bucket.

For the gardener who loves warm color, dramatic petal movement, and a dahlia with a playful little edge, Bloomquist Sporty is a fun and distinctive variety to grow.

Bloom Color: Buttery Yellow with Red / Rosy-Pink Edging
Bloom Form: Semi-Cactus
Bloom Size: B — Approximately 6–8 inches
Plant Height: Approximately 4 feet
Hybridizer: Paul Bloomquist
Best For: Cutting gardens, market bouquets, florist work, weddings & exhibition