Dahlia.org Official Site of American Dahlia Society-resources&photographs.
Title
Welcome to the American Dahlia Society
Description
Brian Killingsworth, American Dahlia Society
Did you know that the dahlia is the national flower of Mexico? It should not come as a surprise since the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala are considered the home of origin for today's dahlia ancestors. 16th century Spanish conquistadors, while busy conquering the vast Aztec Indian nation, also made some interesting explorations-one of which was the collection of New World plant life. Botanist accompanying the soldiers discovered what is sometimes referred to as the tree dahlia(D. imperialis). The flowers of this species were open-centered, single blooms with pendant stems. The hollow stems of these plants, some growing to over 20 feet, were often used for hauling water or as an actual source of water to traveling hunters. In fact the Aztec name for "tree dahlias" was acocotli or water-cane.
About 200 years passed before dahlia seeds, roots, and plants found their way to Europe. From the Royal Botanical Gardens in Madrid, Spain, dahlia seeds and tubers were soon sent throughout western Europe. Initial breeders of dahlias were more interested in it as a food source since the blooms were not particularly noteworthy. Perhaps, fortunately for us today, these experiments met with little success. By the early 18th century the first fully double forms began to emerge. From 1810 to 1840 dahlias were very popular as nurserymen continued to expand the combinations of colors in dahlias that were global in shape. Soon however, as is with many other breeding projects, it was felt that all combinations had been reached and the interest in dahlias began to wane.
In 1872 a box of dahlia roots were sent from Mexico to Holland. The impact of this long journey was devastating in that all but one tuber failed to make the crossing. This singular root, however, proved quite astonishing in that it produced a brilliant red bloom with petals that were rolled back and pointed! Immediately dahlias regained their place on the benches of plant breeders who began to successfully combine this new variety ( D. juarezii) with parents of early varieties and their progenies have served as the parents of today's hybrids.
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