It is interesting that the more popular dahlias here at ATP are mostly the smaller ones. While out in the rest of the world its the "dinner plate" dahlias that grab the attention. I seem most attracted to the medium sized blooms 4-6", but have a few of the big ones in my dahlia patch.

These are all 8" - 10" blooms

Harvest Moonlight


Imelda Ransel


Inland Dynasty


Kelvin Floodlight


Kenora Wildfire


Maisey Mooney


Maniac


Spartacus


Wyn's Cinnabar


Vassio Meggos

I love the large dahlias but do not like staking them, I think that may be one of the reasons that the smaller varieties are more popular. They also take up a lot of space in the garden.

But such a welcome in late summer / early fall. Love them (as do my slugs).

Sorry. This posted twice, so I removed one post.

I posted this photo of `Crazy Love' earlier in the summer, but it's blooming like crazy and looks
amazing! I'm not sure it qualifies as a dinner plate dahlia, but it has a large bloom.

The term Dinner Plate - is used indiscriminately as a marketing tool. I have seen 4" dahlias marketed as dinner plate dahlias which is ridiculous unless you are on a really strict diet!

I just used the term because people are familiar with it.

And yes..........you do have to stake them, but I stake pretty much all of my dahlias no matter the size.

I don't like to stake anything. By pure chance I found that sweet annie is a good companion to dahlias.