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HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE INDIANA 47907
DAHLIAS
The husky dahlia was once considered coarse and common. However, today, after many years of improved breeding, its large and colorful blossoms appear in almost every Indiana flower garden.
The dahlia is named in honor of theSwedish botanist Andreas Dahl. It originally came from Mexico, but was not grown in this country until the early 1800's. Before then, it had been grown in most European countries.
The dahlia had been described by botanists as early as 1615. Between the time it was introduced and today, it has passed through many different stages of development. Plant breeders have changed its type, color, flower size and, finally, the basic characteristics of the plant itself. Today the dahlia meets a great many needs of the home gardener.
Because of the wide range of plant and flower size, the dahlia can be grown almost anywhere — from border to background. It ranges from the dwarf forms to the 6- to 8-foot giants. The flowers vary from the small button types to the large decorative kinds measuring 10 to 14 inches in diameter.
The dahlia is grown chiefly as a cut flower because it lends itself well to most kinds of arrangements. Today it is also becoming a popular annual bedding plant.

Varieties
Dahlias are usually sold as tuberous roots, although seed is also available. Seed or roots may be bought at a nursery or garden center. However, for a wider selection, order direct from a seed company or a dahlia specialist.
With 14 classes of dahlias and many varieties in each class, the home gardener can afford to be choosy about the color, shape and size of the dahlias he wants to grow.

Classes of Dahlias
(as recommended by the American Dahlia Society)

Class I. A. Single dahlias: Open-centered flowers with only one row of ray florets, with margins flat or nearly so, regardless of the number of florets.
B. Mignon dahlias: Plants not over 18 inches high. For example: Coltness Gem.

Class II. Orchid-flowering dahlias: Flowers like single dahlias, except that the rays are more or less tubular by the turning inward of their margins. For example: Buttercup.

Class III. Anemone dahlias: Open-centered flowers with only one row of ray florets, regardless of form or number of florets, with the tubular disc florets elogated, forming a pin cushion effect. For example: Ada Finch.

Class IV. Collarette dahlias: Open-centered flowers with only one row of ray florets, with the addition of one or more rows of petaloids, usually of a different color, forming a collar around the disc. For example: San Mateo Star.

Class V. Peony dahlias: Open-centered flowers with two to five rows of ray florets, regardless of form or number of florets, with or without the addition of smaller curled or twisted floral rays around the disc. For example: Dahliadel Glory.

Class VI. Star dahlias: Open-centered flowers, usually 2 to 5 inches in diameter, with two to five rows of somewhat pointed rays, with more or less resolute margins. For example: Buckland Star.