What Makes an Exhibition-Worthy Dahlia? Lessons from Dennis Rodgers

🌼A few days ago, I had an exciting video call with our mentor, Dennis Rodgers. The purpose? To discuss whether any of our dahlias were good enough to enter the prestigious National Dahlia Show in February.

Dennis, a seasoned dahlia judge, has been an invaluable guide in teaching us what makes a bloom truly exhibition-worthy. Although I plan to dive deeper into this in a future post, the short version is this: form, size, and petal perfection are everything.

Learning the Basics: Dahlia Forms and My Progress

During our chat, I described the form of each dahlia to Dennis to get his expert opinion. Identifying the difference between similar forms—like a large ball and a miniature decorative—can be tricky. The size difference might be subtle, but the petal shape holds the key.

I’m improving, but I still make mistakes. Dennis’s advice? Look for rounded and slightly tubed tips with more petals for ball dahlias. 🌺 It's these nuances that make the difference between a garden beauty and a show stopper.

A Moment of Laughter and Approval

Mum joined the call midway and insisted I show Dennis her favorite orchid dahlia. His immediate reaction? A scrunched-up face and a hesitant "hmmmm."

Mum left the room devastated, but Dennis later laughed, “It’s alright—I just didn’t want to tell your mum that!” 😂

While not one of Dennis’s top-tier “DDD” blooms, it got a quiet thumbs-up. Mum still thinks the video quality didn’t do it justice. Maybe the light wasn’t right?

Exhibition-Ready Blooms and Garden Favorites

Dennis identified several dahlias with the potential for exhibition. With some disbudding and tender care, they might just shine on the show floor.

Some flowers, though, are destined to stay garden favorites. For instance, our hot pink and white collarette dahlia has charming fimbriated petals. Unfortunately, these edges count as a flaw in shows.

Still, every conversation with Dennis is a learning opportunity. 🌸 His wealth of knowledge inspires me to aim higher. One day, I hope to follow in his footsteps as a dahlia judge.

Reflections on the Journey to the Show

The road to the National Dahlia Show is one of growth—both for the flowers and me. Whether a bloom becomes an exhibition star or a cherished garden treasure, the joy of nurturing and learning is what truly matters.

Have you ever wondered what makes a flower show-worthy? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 💬

By Milly Leong

• dahlias

  learning

  shows