When you walk into flower shop Jemi in Amsterdam, you instantly feel the pulse of the city’s floral heartbeat. It’s a place where the florist doesn’t just throw stems together—they compose moods. So when he discovered a big bucket from My Dahlia Society with five fresh bunches of Dahlia cut flowers, Michel Hamersma was ready to do his thing. And he didn’t disappoint.
Dahlia Bouquets in Two Very Different Styles
Michel crafted two very different bouquets. One biggie that featured the large-headed drama queens of the Dahlia family: Dahlia Babylon Bronze, Dahlia Bohemian Spartacus, and Dahlia Spider Salmon. These are the flowers that flirt with gravity and push back a little when you try to tame them. The second bouquet was a bit more restrained but stood out in its charm, built from the small but mighty pink Dahlia Wizard of Oz and its soft twin, Light Wizard.
In between clipping stems, taking photos, and dodging the usual mid-summer customer rush, Michel chatted about his love for Dahlias, when his mother and father, who started the shop half a century ago, joined in the conversation. "Yes, those beautiful Dahlias", they all sighed. The flowers with smaller flower buds stand upright, while the flowers with larger flower buds often bend a little. "We find this beautiful, but many people don't realize it's completely natural and think the flower is old. But that's not true. It's just how it looks, even in its prime."
My Dahlia Society: Giving Dahlias the Spotlight They Deserve
My Dahlia Society is a new label under the Dutch Flower Group umbrella, sister of the famous My Peony Society. It’s a branding move, sure—but one with purpose. The goal? Give Dahlias their own fan club, stretch their season beyond summer, and shine a light on their quirky beauty. You’ll find them sourcing worldwide (yes, even from South Africa), trying to make Dahlia magic last longer than just a few hot months.
Florists like Michel see the potential, even if the flower’s not always hotel-friendly. “I think of flowers like this: the crazier, the more fun,” he says. And for a reason. The wilder and rougher the bloom, the better it works in showstopper bouquets. Pompon Dahlias are cute and safe, but those unruly types? That’s where the fun starts!
Spotlight on Five Dahlias
So, the bucket that arrived at Jemi contained five varieties. Just five? Well, with these five bunches, he already created two wonderful bouquets. But the total collection of My Dahlia Society is a lot wider. These are the five lucky ones that made Michel's bouquets today:
Dahlia Babylon Bronze
Think copper coins melted in the summer sun. Dahlia Babylon Bronze is big—no, really big—with layered, fluffy petals in a deep golden-bronze tone. It demands space in a bouquet and works best when it’s allowed to be the star.
Its bold character and the way it elevates everything around it give it added value. This one was the focal point of Michel’s wilder bouquet—something you’d want on your dining table when you’re trying to impress someone who doesn’t get impressed easily.
Dahlia Babylon Bronze from @mydahliasociety.
Dahlia Bohemian Spartacus
This variety doesn’t care about rules. Dahlia Bohemian Spartacus is a rebellious twist on a classic favorite, with dark red to burgundy petals that sometimes fade into almost black tips. It’s like drama school in flower form.
Bohemian means it’s not polished, it’s expressive. The blooms can reach up to 25 cm wide and have that classic, so-called 'dinnerplate shape', but with a bit of attitude. Michel tucked this one deep into the bouquet for contrast—it draws the eye but doesn’t shout over everyone else. Just a nod, a wink, and a whole lot of rich texture.
Dahlia Spider Salmon
Now this one isn’t on every florist’s radar, but it should be. Dahlia Spider Salmon is all wild limbs and peachy tones. With its thin, almost spiky-like petals, it brings a sense of movement and airiness to an arrangement. And the color? Somewhere between a soft salmon and dusty coral, with just enough punch to avoid fading into the background.
Since it's an upfacing flower, Michel used it to stretch the shape and length of the bouquet, giving the whole thing a bit of swing. You can see the spider influence in how it breaks up the roundness of more traditional blooms. It’s not perfect, and that’s what makes it good.
Dahlia Wizard of Oz
This variety is what you’d expect if a cupcake got reincarnated as a flower. Dahlia Wizard of Oz is tight, tidy, and sugary sweet. It has a solid pompon form with blush pink petals that spiral so perfectly it almost looks artificial.
In Michel’s second and smaller bouquet, it acted as the soft layer, filling in the gaps with charm but not stealing the show. He paired it with white snowberries (Symphoricarpos albus) and red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) berries for texture, letting it do its gentle thing while the big-headed Dahlias did theirs.
Dahlia Light Wizard
Everything said about its pink sibling applies here—but in bridal white. Dahlia Light Wizard is equally petite and button-like, but the white gives it a fresh, almost frosty vibe. Michel mentioned how these smaller Dahlias are the safer choice for wedding work, especially on warm days when the big ones might collapse under pressure.
It’s no wonder these pompons are the go-to for florists who want structure without the stress. And if the white feels a little too proper, just pair it with something wild.
Bouquets That Tell Stories
Looking at the result of Michel's labor, it's clear both bouquets had something to say. One shouted in full color, the other whispered elegance. That’s the thing about Dahlias—they let you play. Even if they don’t always behave, florists like Michel know how to work with the quirks. And maybe that’s the point.
So here’s to Dahlia season. To the floppy heads, the pompons, and the spider petals. And to give these beauties the little bit of spotlight they’ve always deserved. Kudos to My Dahlia Society and Michel at Jemi for reminding us.
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