Category: News

2020 Hart and Gullikson Awards Announced

The Derrill W. Hart medal

Awarded to the cultivar that has the highest average trial garden score in the accredited trial gardens located across the United States and Canada during the previous year as an AA/A; B; BB; M; Ball/Miniature Ball/Pompon; ST/NX; and Waterlily. The highest three scores shall be used to determine such highest average. In case of ties, … See entire post.

Canby Trial Garden Video

Join us for a virtual tour of the 2020 Canby Trial Garden, where new dahlia varieties are scored for future potential by American Dahlia Society judges. Located at Swan Island Dahlia Farm, the garden is maintained by members of the Portland Dahlia Society.

Thanks Larry Smith, Portland Dahlia Society, and the trial garden crew for sharing this video.… See entire post.

2021 Calendars to support 2022 ADS National Show

The National Capital Dahlia Society prepared a high quality dahlia calendar for 2021 to help support the 2022 ADS National Show, which NCDS will be hosting.  To see additional photos coming in the calendar, go to nationalcapitaldahlia.org (website for the National Capital Dahlia Society).  The ADS and NCDS web sites have low resolution copies only, to help preserve the copyrights … See entire post.

Overseas Supporter


The Overseas Supporter annual subscription will allow dahlia enthusiasts in other parts of the world to connect with ADS members in North and South America.

The annual subscription (November-October) will provide, via email, quarterly (December, March, June, and September)  electronic copies of the Bulletin in addition to the most recent version of the Classification and Handbook of Dahlias.  More details.See entire post.

It’s nearly time to store your tubers

Depending on where you grow dahlias, it may be time to start thinking about storing the tubers for the winter.  In climates with cold or wet winters, you’ll want to lift and store your tubers after the killing frost or anytime four months after planting.  Visit Dahlia University or our tuber page for everything tubers.… See entire post.

Image Submission for 2021 New Intros

Due to a technical difficulty, the Image Submission for 2021 New Introductions  instructions and release form will not appear in the September Bulletin as planned.  If you want to submit pictures (and we hope you do) for the 2021 New Introductions DVD, please go to the Member Info Page and find the instructions and release form under “Doc and Forms”. … See entire post.

Local Society Virtual Shows

Many if not most local societies have cancelled their in-person shows due to COVID 19.  But some are determined to showcase their beautiful flowers via virtual shows on the Internet, Instagram, Facebook, and video platforms.  The links below will transport you to these shows.  Enjoy! 

If your society has such a show and is not listed below, contact your ADS … See entire post.

Photo Contest 2020

With many shows cancelled, the ADS Photo Contest is a good place to exhibit your beautiful blooms.

The rules are few.  Anyone can submit a photo. The photos should have been taken in 2019 and 2020.   It’s all about the dahlia, so the bloom should predominate the image.  Photos can be taken using a cell phone camera. Please limit entries … See entire post.