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What our Customers are Saying

  • "The Dahlia's I bought from you have been absolutely beautiful. Wish I had more room.""
    Howard H., Groveland MA
  • "All of the dahlias that I ordered are blooming beautifully. Gitty Up is my new favorite - interesting color combination and a little blooming machine. Thanks for providing such excellent tubers. A fan for life!"
    Richard P., Cincinnati, OH
  • "I wanted to tell you how wonderfully your dahlias are performing in my garden, despite the fact that they have had less than perfect conditions! I live in humid Georgia and all but the biggest bloomed plants are prolifically producing gorgeous flowers. I'm new to dahlias but they couldn't be easier or more rewarding. Thanks so much--"
    DEbra M., Roopville, GA
  • "Just wanted to say how happy I am with my dahlia order. They are huge, with lots of buds."
    Ione M., Clayton, CA
  • "I now understand why the reputation of Swan Island Dahlia is as it is. Our nation's leading Dahlia growing family stands behind your product like no other company. I am impressed and most pleasantly pleased with your response and actions. You've definitely secured another fan and promoter. Thank you!"
    Clayton S., Friendsville, TN
  • "Hi there. Just wanted to express my gratitude. I ordered Saturday, and received my order Tuesday. Very fast, and the tubers look very high quality."
    Terraka M., Milwaukie, OR
  • "I have been growing Swan Island dahlias for many years, and have many favorites. Too many, if you ask my wife. But I have to tell you that it is a privilege to share the earth with so lovely and perfect a flower as Sheer Heaven. Keep up the good work! You and your flowers bring joy to so many!"
    Craig T., Coeymans Hollow, NY
  • "Thank you for the amazing flowers.They arrived in perfect condition and followed directions for caring for them. They made fabulous arrangements for our party tomorrow evening. I will pass your name around for sure."
    Deb M., Canton, OH
  • "You are the most prompt plant supplier I have every dealt with in my 50+ years of gardening. The tubers look good and are in the ground."
    Annie T., Madison, VA
  • "Thank you. Not only do you have the best dahlia bulbs, you have great service!"
    Lynn K., Erie, PA
  • "Healthy tubers - packed great! Just want to thank you for good service & quality products. Have been customer several years & recommend highly. Thanks!"
    Janet M., Mt. Sterling, OH
  • "Great staff, prompt service, and friendly people. Thanks again"
    Diane M., Carrollton, VA
  • "Thank you very much. As always, your service is exceptionally wonderful as are your dahlias."
    Liz N., Sherwood, O
 
Dahlia Classification

 

 

Classification Codes

Classification codes are a means to group the many varieties of dahlias that exist. You can find specific information on each of these types in the following:

 

 

 

Cactus Types

      

  • IC: Incurved Cactus- Petals rolled for their full length, with tips of the petals curving toward the center of the flower.

  • SC: Semi Cactus- Petals flat at the base, with less than half of the petals rolled or quilled.

  • C: Straight Cactus- Petals rolled for one-half their length, straight or nearly straight.

 

 

Decorative Types

    

  • FD: Formal Decorative- Flat petals with an even, regular placement throughout the flowers
  • ID: Informal Decorative- Generally flat petals, sometimes slightly rolled at the tips, but with irregular arrangement of formation.

 

 

Balls and Pom Pons

    

  • BA: Ball- Fully double flowers, ball-shaped or slightly flattened at the face, the ray florets blunt, rounded, or indented. Involute for most of their length, fully involute for about one-half their length, and normally displayed in a spiral arrangement.
  • P: Pom Pon- Fully double flowers almost round in shape with tightly quilled petals. Flower size 2" or less.

 


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Singles, Semi Doubles, Collarettes and Anemones

         

  • S: Single- Single row of flat petals surrounding a disc.
  • SD: Semi-Double- Two or more rows of petals surrounding a disc.
  • CO: Collarette- One row of flat or slightly cupped petals surrounding a disc. These flowers have an inner set of petaloids generally generally multiple and irregular forming a collar around the disc.
  • AN: Anemone- One or more rows of petals surrounding a dense group of colored, elongated disc florets.

  • MS: Mignon Single - single row of petals, with a flower diameter under 2"

 

 

Orchid & Peony
  • O: Orchid Type- Open centered flowers with one of ray florets surrounding a disc. The florets involute for two-thirds or more of their length. Usually partially overlapping.
  • PE: Peony type- Open centered flowers with two or more rows of petals surrounding a disc. Petals may be irregularly formed.

 

 

Waterlily
  • WL: Waterlily- Closed center with multiple rows of ray florets normally broad and flat or slightly incurved, depth usually less that one half the diameter.

 

Stellar

  • ST: Stellar- decorative shaped flowers with petals being creased causing them to be narrow and involute with a slight recurve to the stem.

 

 

Size Codes

Size codes denote the approximate size of dahlia blooms that the tuber will produce. The sizes and their codes are: 

  • AA: Flowers over 10" or more
  • A: Flowers 8" to 10" across
  • B: Flowers 6" to 8" across
  • BB: Flowers 4" to 6" across
  • M: Flowers up to 4" across
  • P: Flowers up to 2" across