Native to Mexico and Guatemala, dahlias have captivated plant lovers for centuries starting with Spanish explorers in the 1600s. Robust dahlia plants bear striking flowers ranging from golf-ball size pompoms to daisy-like collarettes. Choosing among the 50,000 named varieties can be daunting. Below are selections from Sharon and David Tooley, award-winning Penasquitos dahlia growers active in the San Diego County Dahlia Society.
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Jessica - Striking cactus-type flowers with narrow incurved (rolled under) lemon yellow petals tipped in vivid magenta-red. Four to 6-inch wide flowers on 3-4-foot tall plant. |
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Penhill Watermelon - Flowers up to 10-inches wide are among the largest grown. Gracefully curved petals are blushed with cream, rosy pink and golden yellow. |
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Zorro - Another 10-inch wide whopper with deep red ruffled petals. Stems are strong, but this and other large-flowered plants may need staking. |
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Pam Howden - A waterlily dahlia with symmetrical petals that curve gently inward. Orange, pink and yellow petals create a sunny glow. |
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Chimacum Troy - A mini-ball type dahlia with 3-inch round flowers in rich purple-red. Plant grows about 3 feet tall. |
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Alpen Diamond - A colarette dahlia with eight petals surrounding a central raised cluster of smaller petals. Outer petals are pink, lavender and white with center petals of golden orange. |