I see now why there are almost 60,000 cultivars of dahlia. According to the body that classifies dahlias, the Royal Horticultural Society.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/plantsmanship/plant-registration/dahlia-cultivar-registration/dahlia
I suppose technically, there are infinite colors combos for this flower. This year, I have at least 25 dahlia seedlings, hybrids that I have no idea what they will look like until bloom. If there is a dahlia with lovely characteristics and not identical to another, I get to cultivate it, name and call it all my own.
Last year, I purchased some Penhill Watermelon tubers. I planted both tubers next to each other in a pot. One was Penhill Watermelon, one most definitely wasn’t.
Mine
Today, watching a youtube video about dahlias, The Impatient Gardener, she mentioned Milena Fleur, and the photo on the screen looked similar to my mystery dahlia. You would think I’d be sure with photo matching, but check out the examples below of Milena Fleur tubers for sale this year, 2023.
Do I Have a Milena Fleur Dahlia?
https://www.dahliasbyjulie.com/collection-mz/milena-feur
And Another
https://www.dancingtheland.com/store/p56/Milena_Fluer_Dahlia_Tuber.html
https://www.arrowheaddahlias.com/store/p488/MILENA_FLEUR_-_%28BB_ID_PK%29_4%27.html
Thanks to Dancing The Land, I think I do!
My mystery dahlia definitely had that sparkle. Dancing the Land is the only vendor listed here who not only demonstrates that glitter in the photo, but mentions that unique characteristic in the description. Important criteria, in my opinion.
I think yellow and pink together make a lovely dahlia, I was so thrilled to find one in my garden last year. I think I managed to save a tuber but I am unsure. I have a few marked Mystery. We’ll see in a few months.
The End