More people asked us to find ‘Jane Cowl’ than any other lost dahlia — and when we finally tracked it down, we understood why. It’s a big, gorgeous dahlia, with undulating petals of buff, bronze, and gold, like the tresses of a goddess — or actress Jane Cowl (1883-1950), who was once “the most beautiful woman on the American stage.” Very limited stock this year. 6-8”, 5-6’, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

Limited stock! Once the world’s most popular dahlia — the one even non-gardeners knew by name — this glorious, true pink, New Jersey native is still amazing. Tall and vigorous, it will give you more of its sublimely simple flowers in late summer and fall than you can find a vase for. We’re proud to have re-introduced it to American gardens, and in spring 2003 we crowned it our Heirloom Bulb of the Year. 4-6”, 6-7’, formal decorative, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

‘Juanita’s big, jewel-toned flowers are a whirl of narrow, curving petals of deep, vibrant burgundy and ruby. Bred in South Africa and named for a flamenco dancer, it’s been one of the most popular dahlias on six continents for decades. 6”, 4-5’, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

As seen full-page in Horticulture! This rare souvenir from a lost age is the most antique-looking of all of our dahlias. With neatly curled petals of custard yellow brushed with burgundy, and a green button-eye like an old-fashioned rose, it’s a true Victorian “fancy” dahlia — and one of a mere handful of dahlias that survive from the 10,000 grown in the 19th century. We’re proud to have returned it to American gardens, and in 2007 we celebrated it as our Heirloom Bulb of the Year. 3”, 4-5’, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

Big, beautiful ‘Kidd’s Climax’ is one of the 20th century’s Top 10 dahlias. It offers colossal blooms of an ineffable, sunrise blend of pink and creamy yellow that looks so luscious we bet you’ll want to take a bite. Easy to grow, free-flowering, and sturdy, it’s still winning tons of blue ribbons today at dahlia shows and county fairs across the country. 8-10”, 3-4’, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

No matter how small your garden is, this compact dahlia with its bouquet-sized poofs of soft, primrose yellow will make you glad you planted it. We love its weird name, too. Klankstad means “Sound City” and Kerkrade is the Dutch town that in 1951 launched what has become the world’s greatest band festival. 3-4”, 3’, semi-cactus, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

Cool, man, cool! From the year that brought us Old Yeller, “Wake Up Little Susie,” and the coolest Chevy ever comes this enduring New Zealand classic. With its rippling, snow-white petals blushed with rosy lavender, it may remind you of sea anemones on a coral reef — or senior prom? 4-6”, 4-6’, semi-cactus, Oregon. Chart to compare.

This big, romantic dahlia is still winning so many blue ribbons almost 60 years after it was introduced that the ADS rates it a “Cream of the Crop” dahlia. Its unusual name is the title of a wildly popular Victorian travel-adventure about life among the gypsies. (When we tried reading it, we discovered we like the dahlia a lot better.) 6-10”, 4’, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

Over a decade ago when we asked in the ADS Bulletin if anyone grew this relic, we heard from just one person, David Murphy. He eventually sent his entire stock to us with a note: “In recognition of your efforts to preserve old dahlias. Their survival now rests in your hands.” Will you help? Lively and cute, ‘Little Beeswings’ produces an abundance of yellow pompons tipped with flame-red. It’s a fine keeper, too, so you’ll soon have extras to pass along, as David did. 1-2”, 3’, from Oregon. Chart to compare.

Our photos don’t show you the best thing about ‘Madame Simone Stappers’ — it grows as a dense, rounded, all but self-supporting mound about 2½ feet tall that looks more like a small shrub or a peony than a dahlia. With dark-chocolate foliage and radiant blooms, it’s stunning in perennial borders — or try one in a big beautiful pot. Preserved by the British National Collection, 3”, 2½’, semi-double, grown for us in Oregon. Chart to compare.