I've tried Dahlias in my 35 plus years of gardening, but I've found that they really don't like our high heat (mid 90's and up) combined with our humidity for months on end so have ceased trying to grow them. However, that does not mean I don't think they are lovely. So forgiving my ignorance, why are there not more in the cut flower trade? Do they not do well as cut flowers? Also back in my day they lacked any fragrance, has that changed? Have there been any big improvements in say the last 20 years?......................Maryl

Hi Maryl!
When it comes to the cut flower trade, I think dahlias are used most for weddings and funerals. They don't last super long, like ornery carnations and roses do. There are many varieties that are fantastic cut flowers. I grow for my own love of dahlias, but do sell to florists and random people, usually it is for weddings or special events. They will probably never have a fragrance, other than the one I glean when I cut the stem.

Kudos to you for trying once upon a time in Oklahoma. I live/grow in Nebraska, which is a little kinder, but dang that humidity...

@frillylily I have the same weather (though yours may be harsher, depending on the year), and just try to get my dahlias to limp along until September. If there is no rain, I water relentlessly. Some varieties don't care and bloom perfectly in the heat/humidity...it is a learning curve to figure out what varieties tolerate the midwest weather, but if you ask me, it is absolutely worth it! If you have clay and want them to grow, I suggest adding a bunch of compost to even it out.

Frillylily: I don't think "weeks" of 90's plus humidity spells doom for Dahlias. Here our 90's start in mid May and go until at least the first of October (95 yesterday at the end of September). I'd certainly give them a try in your area. They are so beautiful and have so many intriguing forms. They held a Dahlia show at the fall fair a million years ago, and I was astounded by the beauty and variety of Dahlias. Most of the growers though were from further north then Tulsa.............Maryl

@Frillylily

Sure thing. I just went through my plant list and compiled this for you. These are ones that grow easily for me in the hot and humid Midwest.

These I have grown for 2 or more years-
Alloway Candy, Amber Queen, Bahama Mama, Baron Katie, Bloomquist Harmony, Blyton Softer Gleam, Cecil, Colorado Classic, Diva, Dr. John E Kaiser, Firepot, Foxy Lady, Hollyhill Black Beauty, Hollyhill Miss White, Hollyhill Starburst, Hy Suntan, Jowey Winnie, Maarn, Mary's Jomanda, Mingus Toni, Mystique, Nenekazi, Normandy Wild Willie, NTAC Mia Li, Peaches N Cream, Santa Claus, Steve O, Sugartown Sunrise, Tahoma Vivian, Tartan, Verrone's DF, Who Dun It, Wine Eyed Jill, Wyn's Pinking of You

New to me this year, but didn't struggle or flinch much in the blistering sun and humidity-
All That Jazz, Blizzard, Bluetiful, Camano Mordor, Coriallo Furioso, Dragonberry, Ferncliff Thunder, Ferncliff Tropics, Hollyhill Hello Dolly, Linda's Baby, Melissa M, Miss Teagan, Narrow's Pam, Normandy Lisanne, Showcase Perfection

I am in north central fl and the three dahlia tubers i bought from walmart all grew in the pots i had. Temps here have been from the low 90s to low 100s for the past 5 months.