Chimacum Troy

David and Leone Smith introduced Chimacum Troy in 2003 out of their farm on the valley peat at Chimacum, Washington, and it became the most decorated flower of their program. It won the Lynn B. Dudley Medal on the seedling bench, and the Dahlia Legacy Project records it as the number one Cream of the Crop for five consecutive years and on the ADS Fab 50 for the same five. The seed parent was Jesse G. Leone Smith named it among her own favorites, alongside Chimacum Cathleen, Chimacum Davi and Chimacum Katie. The Stanford Dahlia Project holds the registration record, filed to D. and L. Smith of Chimacum, Washington in 2003.

This is the best decorated small dahlia in the batch and it earns the reputation in the field, not just on the bench. Heirloom Soul calls it super productive in both flowers and tubers, on long sturdy stems that suit bouquets. Blooms are small, 2 to 3.5 inches by the registry and up to 4 by Heirloom Soul's measure, on a plant running 4 to 5 feet. A miniature ball at that stem length is close to ideal for market work: the flower holds its geometry in a bunch, travels well, and does not blow open after two days the way a soft decorative does. Pinch at 12 inches and net rather than stake. Being productive in tubers as well as flowers, it divides generously, which is how a variety like this spreads through a region.