I enjoy the height - but I have to be really vigilant with the staking and tiring up. Its part of my daily routine from July - September. Last year I bought 6 yds of a green jersey fabric (on sale) and cut it into 1/2" strips about 12" long to use as ties. I used at least 2/3 of it.
Shade can also help with color too. Quite a few dahlias will bleach out somewhat if they have to much hot sun. I would rather have more sun, but I can't cut down the neighbors trees, so I work with what I have and make the best of it. The lack of sun also tends to produce smaller blooms. I have never gotten those ginormous blooms that you see pictures of - but thats ok too, as I mostly grow for cut flowers, and the giants are difficult to use in a vase.
As for catalog pics............I always try to look at multiple pictures of anything I am buying. Both catalogs and many online pics have the color punched up, not to mention how some colors, purples especially, are difficult to capture. Red oranges too. I remember Skipley B as being more orange than any of the pics I see, including mine.
