Dahlias, named for the Swedish botanist, Andreas Dahl, are members of the genus Dahlia and the plant family Asteraceae. They were first discovered in Mexico and are endemic to Central and South America. The Aztec Herbal Manuscript indicates that the dahlia plant was used in the treatment of urinary disorders and epilepsy. In 1789, the genus Dahlia was first introduced to Europe at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Madrid. Nine years later, this genus was introduced to the Kew Gardens.

Ten groups and eighteen classifications of dahlias are recognized by the American Dahlia Society. Over 20,000 hybridized cultivars are registered. Our Dahlia Garden contains over 120 different cultivars.

To see more of our dahlias in bloom, visit our Photo Gallery.

Additional Information