Hi Kathy, there are dwarfs. I'm not sure they are called that, but there are small varieties with small blooms. They are available in ALL colors. Check out the gallery page here, or some of the recent posts by vikingcraftsman for some really great photos of all kinds of varieties. Check sturgeonguy's posts too, he has all kinds of sizes, from short to tall. I've included a link to a webpage that has a good amount of info on dahlias, and has an image gallery too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dahlia.com

There are also Dahliettas, which as far as I'm concerned are not Dahlias. There is no classification for them that I have found, and they aren't Dahlias in the way they grow, survive, or produce new ones.

They look like Dahlias, hence their name, but they aren't in any other way. When I went to the local garden store in late May to ask about them I was told they produce flowers until mid-September and are annuals.

Put dahliettas into google and see what you think.

Cheers,
Russ

Thanks green thumbs, now I know why I love this site. Home depot garden people thought I was a dummy. I knew I should have came here first and got the right answers. Thanks again.. Kathy

Kathy I broke out my Stokes seed catologue and found several new verieties of dwarf dahlias. I used to grow unwen mixed. But I don't see it listed this year. they list hellow gorgeous mixed, garden pride, figaro series, I have grown these in the past,star-gazer, and harlequin. So yes Kathy there are dwarf types of dahlias. And some of them produce tubers at the end of the season. But it is just easier to grow them from seed. Tubers in bunches of 50 or more take up some room. And the cats want to play with them.

Vikingcraftsman this year I haven't had good luck with seeds. So I've buying everything in plant form, but then my geraniums took turn for the worst 7 out of 15 died. So I keep rearranging my flowers. Is it to late in season to grow dahlias and get blooms? And do they do good in pots? Thats all I'am planting in this year, but my Mom wants some in her back yard.

Kathy I think it might be a little late in the season for seeds. Also I grow every thing I have put in the ground also in pots. It just depends on the size pot for the size dahlia. I make some of my own pots, the most expensive way to go and some in big containers I have found beside the road.East Liverpool Dahlia Society Try some of these.

Rev. Gene Toot
3123 St. Clair
East Liverpool, OH 43920
(330) 385-3662
~ toot3123@comcast.net
Ohio
Greater Cincinnati Dahlia Society

Robert Moynahan
8566 Denallen Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45255
(513) 474-2361
~ robann@fuse.net
Ohio
Greater Columbus Dahlia Society

John Ruoff
106 Valleyview Drive
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
(419) 738-6579
Email: Wilbur & Lilly Ann Seipel
~ laseipel@columbus.rr.com
Ohio
Mahoning Valley Dahlia Society

Joyce Habeger
11676 Lisbon Road
Salem, OH 44460
(330) 533-7741
~ JoyceRockin@aol.com
Ohio
Ohio Dahlia Society

Jerry Moreno
8232 Westhill Drive
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
(440) 543-5658
~ maryannjerry@alltel.net

kathy5,

In my humble estimation, dahliettas are indeed similar to dahlias but short. Good for the front of a garden, or for pots. I have some in a large pot on the deck, which I have had for several years. They do produce tubers each year. I start them the same time as my tall dahlias, in late March or early April under lights. This year, they have made a wonderful display for me,- almost always in bloom. They do come in many colours. My former neighbour had an amazing display each year in front of her home.

Vikingcraftsman, Home depot had some dahlias in 5 inch pots but just in yellow and not dahliettas. I guess I will start with these and maybe start early next year with the dahliettas, if I can find them.