Dahlias are bushy, tuberous, perennial plants native to Mexico and South America, and have the vibrant intense colors associated with that part of the world. They were introduced into Europe about 200 years ago. The first plants were grown at the botanic gardens of Madrid and cared for by Swedish assistant curator Andreas Dahl, after whom they’re named.
The native forms are quite simple and daisy-like, but breeding has resulted in some wonderful flower forms, including complete globes full of petals (pompoms), spiky and spidery forms (cactuses), and ones with curled tubes of petals like sea anemones. Today, there are more than 50,000 different dahlia hybrids available in every shade imaginable, except the elusive blue.