Iler’s Paula - Fall

Iler’s Paula is easily one of my top five dahlias that we grow. With hundreds of varieties moving through the field over the years, that is not a ranking I give lightly.

The blooms open in the most beautiful blend of coral, peach, warm pink, and soft apricot, with enough variation from flower to flower to keep the color interesting all season. Some blooms lean warmer and peachier, while others carry more pink, but they always seem to land in that incredibly useful space between the two.

Its ball form is full and beautifully rounded, with tightly arranged petals creating a substantial bloom around 5 inches across. It is larger than many traditional ball dahlias, which gives it enough presence to serve as a focal flower while still keeping that tidy, structured shape I love for bouquet work.

In our market bouquets, Iler’s Paula is one of those flowers I can build around. It pairs effortlessly with blush, cream, peach, dusty rose, burgundy, mauve, rust, and softer coral tones. The color is warm without being orange, pink without being overly sweet, and complex enough to tie several shades together in the same bouquet.

For our local florists, Paula is the kind of stem that disappears quickly from the bucket. The bloom size gives designers real impact, while the rounded form provides structure and repetition. Its unusual coral-peach coloring also works beautifully in the layered, garden-inspired palettes that are so popular for weddings and events.

And for wedding work, this variety is hard for me to beat. It feels romantic without being predictable. I can use it in a soft peach-and-blush bridal bouquet, pair it with mauve and burgundy for something moodier, or tuck it into a warm late-summer arrangement where the coral tones seem to glow against the rest of the flowers.

Part of what makes this variety even more special is its history. Iler’s Paula originated with the late Mike Iler, and River’s Dahlias helped bring the seedling into wider circulation after his passing. Knowing that story makes me appreciate the flower even more each time it blooms.

What I love most about Iler’s Paula is that it delivers on every level. The color is exceptional. The bloom has presence. It is easy to design with. And season after season, it is simply one of those dahlias I am genuinely excited to see coming into bloom.

For the gardener who loves complex peach-coral color, substantial rounded blooms, and a dahlia with both beauty and history behind it, Iler’s Paula is one I cannot recommend highly enough.

Bloom Color: Coral / Peach / Warm Pink Light Blend
Bloom Form: Ball
Bloom Size: Approximately 5 inches
Plant Height: Approximately 4½ feet
Hybridizer: Mike Iler
Best For: Cutting gardens, market bouquets, florist work, weddings & collectors