Skipley Spot of Gold - Fall

Skipley Spot of Gold is one of those dahlias whose name makes perfect sense once you see it in bloom. The flowers open in rich raspberry to cool magenta-pink, with a warm golden touch toward the center and petal tips that catches the light beautifully. The effect is subtle rather than flashy, but it gives the bloom much more depth than a straightforward pink.

Its miniature formal decorative form is tidy and beautifully layered, with petals arranged in a precise, polished shape. At around 3–4 inches across, the blooms are a wonderfully practical size for cutting—small enough to tuck easily into mixed arrangements, but substantial enough to stand out.

In our market bouquets, Skipley Spot of Gold is especially useful when I want a strong pink without going too bright or sugary. It pairs beautifully with lavender, blush, cream, burgundy, plum, and softer mauve tones, and that little hint of gold adds warmth to the finished bouquet.

For our local florists, this is the kind of stem that works almost anywhere. The compact form gives structure, the saturated color adds richness, and the smaller bloom size makes it easy to use in detailed centerpiece work, hand-tied bouquets, or more layered event designs.

I also like it for weddings when the palette calls for pink with a little more depth. Mixed with dusty rose and mauve it feels romantic and refined; paired with burgundy or wine tones, it becomes richer and moodier without losing its brightness.

This is also a variety with real exhibition credibility. Skipley Spot of Gold has earned the Derrill W. Hart Medal and continues to show up among award-winning miniature dahlias, which says a lot about the quality of its form.

For the gardener who loves rich pink color, beautifully structured blooms, and a dahlia with just a touch of unexpected warmth, Skipley Spot of Gold is a wonderful variety to grow.

Bloom Color: Dark Pink / Raspberry-Magenta with Golden Highlights
Bloom Form: Formal Decorative
Bloom Size: Miniature — Approximately 3–4 inches
ADS Classification: 4005
Plant Height: Approximately 4–4½ feet
Hybridizer: Richard L. Williams
Introduced: 2001
Best For: Cutting gardens, market bouquets, florist work, weddings & exhibition