Now that all my dahlias are dug, cut up and put away for their winter nap, I have been reflecting on what my favorites for this year have been. It's hard limiting to 5 but here goes.
Bracken Sarah.
This plant has been a steady boomer all summer with no less that a dozen full blooms on the plant at any given time.


Myrtle's Folly
Another good producer, love the color, and well, I'm addicted to laciniated dahlias.

Rebecca Lynn
Love the pure saturated color. And this plant really produced! At least a hundred blooms on the plant at all times all summer long.

Irish Blackheart This one is such an unusual color.

Myrtle's Brandy
Love the form and the color on this one.


I could have easily picked 10 top favorites but I really love them all. What's your top 5 FAVS and why?

Great pictures and even better information. Thanks Connie. I have placed my order for 2017. I know, "what, only one order?" Well, the winter is young and there are some long dark cold nights coming up so who knows.

Mary I know what you mean. The whole time I was digging mine I kept thinking "I gotta cut back". Then I come in the house and start making lists of all the new ones I want to try next year.

Me too. I have only ordered a few though. Just went to hidden springs flower farm site and nailed down a couple of new ones as well as two species hybrids. Very simple single and yellow peach colors

Nice choices, Connie. Like you, I keep telling myself to cut back but Corralitos Gardens and Swan Island do not make it simple.

If my computer and Picasa would behave I could post some photos but almost every photo from 2015 and 2016 are lost somewhere.

Oh no, Arlene. Hopefully they aren't lost actually, it's just you can't find them. But they are still there somewhere. Fine line I agree.

Here are five dahlias that looked good this year...

MacAlister's Pride


Skywalker


Jersey Beauty


Pinelands Prickles


Bitsy

My dahlia's finally gave a great show. My favorite is Shockwave, It was a late bloomer but the show was worth the wait. The grouping of 4 dahlias was easily at least 18 inches. The plant was very sturdy and stood at least 5'tall.



A new one from seed, bloomed away, It looks somewhat like Pooh. I may name it Poohish. It made a beautiful bunch of tubers, and I tried to save seed. Sorry the picture is a bit fuzzy.


Who Dun It is always a show stopper and a great tuber maker. Most of the plants grow 4 1/2 to 5 feet tall. Blooms are 5-6 inches.



Louis Meggos were stunning.


I didn't get a picture of Gitts Crazy, but they were very prolific and beautiful.
There are so many that I love. I have ordered about 50 more. I just can't stand it, so much work, but so beautiful.

I love to read the comments and see the beautiful dahlia's, Thanks so much.
I didn't realize my photo was of Gitts Crazy from last year.

@frankrichards16 I like Skywalker the best. I have far too many lavender white formal dahlias. I have recently rather moved on to cactus or semi-cactus. I guess Skywalker would be laciniated??

@Oberon46 it's actually listed as informal decorative, but I see your point

Yup. I think laciniated or not just compliments the form, FD, IFD, etc. Still think it is a beauty.

Laciniated dahlias were my newest obscession. But now I really must cut back because I have moved into town and have a small yard. I will have to go through my dahlias and decide which ones I will take to town. My daughter and her new husband have moved out to the farm so thankfully she intends to plant all that I cannot take.