‘Juanita’s big, jewel-toned flowers are a whirl of narrow, curving petals of deep, vibrant burgundy and ruby. Bred in South Africa and named for a flamenco dancer, it’s been one of the most popular dahlias on six continents for decades. 6”, 4-5’, heat-tolerant, from Oregon. Chart and care.

As seen full-page in Horticulture! This rare souvenir from a lost age is the most antique-looking of all of our dahlias. With neatly curled petals of custard yellow brushed with burgundy, and a green button-eye like an old-fashioned rose, it’s a true Victorian “fancy” dahlia – and one of a mere handful of dahlias that survive from the 10,000 grown in the 19th century. We’re proud to have returned it to American gardens, and we hope you’ll help us preserve it! Learn more. 3”, 4-5’, from Oregon. Chart and care.

Big, beautiful ‘Kidd’s Climax’ is one of the 20th century’s Top 10 dahlias. It offers colossal blooms of an ineffable, sunrise blend of pink, lavender, and creamy yellow that looks so luscious we bet you’ll want to take a bite. Easy to grow, free-flowering, and sturdy, it’s still winning tons of blue ribbons today at dahlia shows and county fairs across the country. 8-10”, 3-4’, heat-tolerant, from Oregon. Chart and care.

Cool, man, cool! From the year that brought us Old Yeller, “Wake Up Little Susie,” and the coolest Chevy ever comes this enduring New Zealand classic. With its rippling, snow-white petals blushed with rosy lavender, it may remind you of sea anemones on a coral reef – or senior prom? 4-6”, 4-6’, semi-cactus, from Oregon. Chart and care.

Years ago when we asked in the ADS Bulletin if anyone grew this relic, we heard from just one person, David Murphy. He eventually sent his entire stock to us with a note: “In recognition of your efforts to preserve old dahlias. Their survival now rests in your hands.” Will you help? Lively and cute, ‘Little Beeswings’ produces an abundance of yellow pompons tipped flame-red. It’s a fine keeper, too, so you’ll soon have extras to pass along, as David did. 1-2”, 3-4’, heat-tolerant, from New Hampshire. Chart and care.

With wiry stems and flowers not much bigger than a pompon dahlia’s, this bright little formal decorative seems custom-made for bouquets, but it’s a joy in the garden, too. Its white petals are brush-stroked at the tips with deep vivid rose, giving it an almost neon-like glow. Formal dec, 2-3”, 2½-4’, from Holland. Chart.

This angelically soft pink sunburst would be perfect for a frothy Sweet-16 party, a summer wedding, a pastel cottage garden, or (best of all) a simple vase on your desk or kitchen counter from August till frost. Australian-bred, it was introduced to great acclaim shortly after WWII, a peaceful beauty for a new age. 4-6” 4’, from Oregon. Chart and care.

Preserved by a Kentucky farm family since the 1930s, this remarkable dahlia is hardy enough to survive most winters in the ground in mid-zone 6 and then bloom weeks before any other. A tall, lavender rose beauty, it came to us from 80-something Joyce Dowell who inherited it decades ago from her dahlia-loving grandmother, Fannie Williams. You can read their whole wonderful story here. Then plant this rare relic and when it blooms, remember Joyce and Fannie. 5-6”, 5-6’, from Oregon. Chart and care.

Just two feet tall, this happy little harlequin will bring a pop of color to the front of your garden or a favorite container. Its non-stop, cherry-red flowers are tipped with white (sometimes more so, sometimes less) and it’s named for a spirited, jazz-inflected dance style that was wildly popular in France in the 1950s. Formal decorative, 2-3”, 1½-2½’, from Holland. Chart and care.

In his celebrated poem “Pied Beauty,” Gerard Manley Hopkins praises all things dappled, stippled, brindled, and freckled – so you know he would have loved ‘Nonette’. Set against dark green leaves, its apricot petals are intricately speckled and streaked with burgundy for a look that’s as natural as a finch’s egg yet totally sumptuous. Wow! Waterlily, 4-6” 4-5’, from Holland. Chart and care.