Babylon Red is the big, red Dahlia that everyone loves. It is part of the famous Babylon Series, which are some of the classic Dahlias in solid colors. Dinnerplate Dahlias like this are considered the standards by which new dahlias are judged. Dahlias put on a stunning show both in the garden and cut to bring inside for flower arrangements. With dozens of varieties to choose from, you can literally plant any color combination in your sunny garden for a delightful, stunning show. Try different varieties for a unique combination of blooms in your garden this summer until fall. Dinnerplate Dahlias are, simply put, the large plants with the huge flowers. The always-double flowers are up to 8', sometimes a whopping 10" across, so the name makes sense.

Decorative Dahlias This group includes the Dinnerplates and also other taller (to 4 ft.) plants with double, chrysanthemum-like flowers.

Growing Dahlias: All the gardener needs to do is plant the tubers after spring frosts in good garden soil with full sun. It's best to position them against a wall or be ready to stake them, since they are brittle, and must be protected from high winds. (If you've grown perennial Delphiniums, the plant size and growth is similar, but success with Dahlias is much easier.) Keep them free of bugs, well-watered, and well-fertilized as they grow, and your dahlias will begin to set buds by midsummer and be in full bloom, usually during July or August. Then the huge flowers keep coming until frost.

When frost threatens, just pull the roots up, cut off the stems, and store the tubers until the following spring. Each fall, you'll be amazed how the 'bulbs' have multiplied during the summer, giving you more and more to divide and enjoy the next year.

One expert has said, 'Never have so many gardeners received so much for so little work, as when they grow dahlias.''