Presenting

In the language of flowers, the Dahlia is free agent, setting the rules as it goes. You would be hard- pressed to find a florist who has not attempted to challenge the obstinate stem of a dinner-plate Dahlia or gleefully welcomed the versatility of an easygoing miniature ball Dahlia, with its long vase life and pliability. Originally cultivated in Mexico by the Aztecs as an important root vegetable, Dahlia has a long, vibrant history worthy of an edition all its own. To this day, Dahlia tubers are still enjoyed by epicurious chefs as a potato substitute. Despite this interesting factoid, it should come as no shock to Dahlia lovers that although these fabulous flowers are valuable in the kitchen, it was through their ability to quickly hybridize that they earned their place on the main stage of global floristry and worked their way into the vases of flower buyers across America. e rapid adoption of the Dahlia as a preferred cut flower was made possible in two main ways: availability and diversity. A longtime favorite of farmer- florists, Dahlia can grow in Plant Hardiness Zones 3 through 11, meaning that consumers can enjoy local Dahlia sourced from every state in our union (not to mention many other regions around the world). From the southern corners of Alaska to the highlands of Hawaii, one can find Dahlia growing in a dizzying array of colors and forms. ere are currently more than 57,000 registered cultivars—and counting. According to e American Dahlia Society, Dahlia flowers are available in 18 forms but can also be further classified by a series of nine size ratings and 16 officially recognized colors. Some of the most popular of the forms include Anemone, Ball, Cactus, Peony, Single and Waterlily. Adding fuel to the fire of biodiversity is the ability of the Dahlia to procreate rapidly from a single tuber to many plants, clone via cutting, or grow by seed, throwing off unique traits from one generation to the next as new and exciting mutations appear. Breeding and collecting Dahlia is a hobby more accessible to beginners than most of the plants in the horticultural world. Every year, flower farmers, hobby growers and florists alike clamor for the newest varieties, with a fashion "it girl"-like fandom. In honor of the exhilarating pace of change made possible by the Dahlia, we present six varieties that will bring radical beauty to your flower shop this year. Floral design by Amanda Rodgers; Bouquet Atlanta; Atlanta, Ga.

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