Santa Claus

The name does what names should. Santa Claus is red and white, ruffled, and a little chaotic, with patterning that never repeats, which Summer Dreams Farm frames as the charm rather than the flaw. It dates to 1983 by way of secondary catalogs, and the breeder's name has slipped out of the record, common for varieties of that era. Here is the unusual part: you can buy it. DahliaAddict showed 13 suppliers with 7 still open, which makes it one of the most available varieties in this collection, a rarity in a list full of sellouts. That availability is worth something. Not every dahlia in your plan needs to be a unicorn, and a bicolor that survives weather, feeds hummingbirds, and ships without drama is a sensible anchor for any cutting garden.

An informal decorative in the BB class, ADS code 3115, with 4 to 6 inch blooms. Height listings conflict, running anywhere from 36 to 54 inches, so stake for the high end. Floret reports long stems, a weatherproof bloom, and about five days in the vase. Summer Dreams Farm notes the tuber clumps run smaller than most, so do not assume a failed plant when you dig a modest harvest. The Cincinnati Dahlia Society notes it attracts hummingbirds, a bonus for gardeners. The red and white patterning varies, with long ruffled petals and no two flowers alike per Summer Dreams, which makes it a poor choice for uniform wholesale lots and a great one for mixed bouquets and garden swagger. It suits gardeners who want a cheerful classic they can actually buy.