Imagine stepping into a garden where every path leads to a new burst of color, each bloom more stunning than the last. These are Dahlia Trial Gardens—living laboratories where the beauty and diversity of dahlias are not only showcased but also put to the test. Far from just ornamental displays, these gardens, sponsored by the American Dahlia Society (ADS), are the breeding grounds for the future of this beloved flower.
Canby Trial Garden
Discover the Blooming Magic of Dahlia Trial Gardens Across North America
The ADS sponsors a network of spectacular trial gardens scattered across the United States and Canada, where the future of dahlias comes to life. These gardens aren’t just a feast for the eyes—they’re the proving grounds where new dahlia cultivars are rigorously evaluated, setting the stage for the next generation of these stunning flowers.
The history of dahlia trial gardens is deeply rooted in the desire to cultivate, refine, and celebrate one of the most diverse and beautiful flowers in the horticultural world. These gardens have played a crucial role in the development of new dahlia varieties, ensuring that only the best are introduced to the public.
The Beginnings of Dahlia Trial Gardens
The ADS, founded in 1915, quickly recognized the need for a structured way to evaluate new dahlia cultivars. The goal was to ensure that new varieties were not only beautiful but also robust, consistent, and true to type.
The Context of the First Dahlia Trial Garden
In the early 1900s, the American Dahlia Society (ADS) recognized the growing need for a systematic approach to evaluate and classify new dahlia cultivars. With the increasing popularity of dahlias and the surge in hybridization efforts, many new varieties were being developed. However, without a standardized testing method, it was challenging to assess their quality and potential for widespread cultivation. George W. Fraser emerged as a pioneer in this era, whose contributions to dahlia hybridization not only enhanced the genetic diversity of these flowers but also established new standards for quality and beauty in the dahlia world.
The First Recognized Trial Garden and Role
The 1919 Storrs Trial Garden in Storrs, Connecticut, marks a defining chapter in the history of dahlia cultivation. As a groundbreaking collaboration between the American Dahlia Society (ADS) and the Connecticut Agricultural College, this garden set the gold standard for dahlia evaluation.
The Storrs Dahlia Garden was a multifaceted project that played a crucial role in advancing dahlia horticulture. Established for research and development, it provided a dedicated space to test and evaluate new dahlia cultivars, experiment with innovative growing techniques, and refine pest control strategies.
Additionally, the garden served as an educational resource, offering students, researchers, and local gardeners practical knowledge on dahlia cultivation. It also became a community hub, hosting events like the annual “Field Day,” where enthusiasts could share their expertise and showcase their flowers.
The structured approach of the Storrs Trial Garden allowed hybridizers to see how their creations performed under different climatic conditions, offering a comprehensive evaluation that was unmatched at the time. This model of trial gardens soon expanded, adapting to various climates and geographic locations across North America. Each new site added to the rigor and diversity of the testing process, ensuring that new dahlia varieties could flourish in a wide range of environments.
As the network of trial gardens grew, so did the legacy of the Storrs Garden. It became a template for others, not just as a testing ground but as a symbol of innovation and quality in dahlia cultivation. Today, the principles established at Storrs continue to guide the American Dahlia Society’s efforts, with trial gardens across the continent still upholding the high standards set over a century ago. The influence of the Storrs Garden extends far beyond its original site, shaping the way dahlias are grown, evaluated, and admired to this day.
A Glimpse into the ADS Trial Gardens
With several trial gardens strategically placed across the United States, the ADS ensures that these cultivars are put to the test in various climates and growing conditions. Each garden, maintained by its local dahlia society, grows, cares for, and evaluates these new entries. Only the best of the best—those that score at least 85—earn the right to be named, sold, and listed in the coveted American Dahlia Society’s Classification and Handbook of Dahlias (CHD). You can read more about the trial garden procedures and rules here. The scoring system evolved from the need for a consistent and fair way to evaluate the increasing number of new dahlia cultivars being introduced by hybridizers. Early pioneers in the ADS, such as George W. Fraser and other influential figures in the dahlia community, played significant roles in shaping the guidelines and criteria that would become the basis for the scoring system used today. If you’re interested in sending your tubers to the trial gardens you can find more information here.
Bonneyville Trial Garden