Own Your Encore

The dahlia originated in the mountainous regions of Mexico and Central America and was cultivated by ancient Aztecs. The Aztecs grew dahlias for their starchy edible root tubers and for other functional and medicinal needs. In the 16th century the Spanish documented the plant, and in the 18th century, seeds were sent to a Botanical garden in Madrid. 

 The flower was named ‘acocxochitl’ by the Aztec people. The name means ‘ water pipe flower’. This was because they used the hollow dahlia stems to transport water. Eventually, the Europeans named the flower dahlia in honor of a Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. 

The first dahlias were grown as single-ray open center flower. Because the dahlia was a natural hybrid and easily grown from seed, it readily changed its form and color. Today we have a range of dahlia types that offer something to please everyone. And that was certainly on display at the dahlia shows that I attended this year(2026) in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. 

Enjoy wandering through this dahlia display : 

This fall I will be learning to make a silk version of a dahlia / chrysanthemum with Tina at the Ballard Millinery Studio. I will be adding the blooms to my ‘Impossible Bouquet’.