2500 Dahlias And Counting

2500 dahlias is quite the site to see. I know because Mike and I attended the American Dahlia Society‘s National Show in Grand Rapids Michigan last weekend. That sort of trip happens when your husband is President of Central States Dahlia Society, and looking at the planning process. Our Society is hosting the show in 2017, so he wanted to experience a national show first hand. At least that is what he tells me. I mean, really, a guy who already has 100 dahlia plants just happens to go to a competition with 2500 dahlias. Sounds to me like a kid in a candy store.

Photo by Regine Gorgas

Case in point, see that squirrelly looking plant to the right. Yes, that one. It’s a dahlia, though it isn’t the standard look you might think of for dahlias. Its name is Hollyhill Wonderwoman. I just have to love a plant with a name like that and a look like this. Oh, did I say “I”. I meant Mike loved it.

At a national show, there are many dahlias to love. Dahlia growers, new and old, big and small, near and far, bring their best blooms to this competition.

Some of the dahlias have the WOW factor of dinner-plate size blooms. Like the AC Bens below. They won in the category of Best 3 AA blooms. AA are the biggest.

Here are a few other big ‘uns.

Others are smaller; way smaller. This arrangement won in the category for ‘Celebrating the Small Things’.

Speaking of celebrating, we did that at the award banquet. Several other members of Central States Dahlia Society and Southtown Dahlia Society were there too. Some came earlier than we did and went on tours Friday. Others stayed longer and attended a barbq with our hosts, the West Michigan Dahlia Society.

We all got to see Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is quite the experience as well. The focus is on sculptures in naturalized garden settings. Yes, there are some border gardens, a great kids’ garden, and a large conservatory, but it’s really about the sculptures.

And look how cute Tyr Joann is. I’m tricking you a bit with my photography on this one. It’s really only a few inches in diameter.

Intrigued? Join us at the  Chicago Botanic Gardens on September 21st and 22nd for the Central State Dahlia Society Show. Admission is free with your paid admission to the gardens.

And lest you think our garden isn’t producing any beauties this year, here’s Wanda’s Aurora, just one of the many blooms we are enjoying. Come to the show and you can learn how you can grow them too.