Dahlia 'Ginger Willo', a cute pompon variety released in 1988, has globe-shaped short-petaled flowers 2 inches across in a tasty blend of orange and red. It grows to 4 feet tall with long stems and upright growth.

Dahlias are not hardy in the Chicago area, and the tubers must be dug, cleaned, and stored over winter. Plant this dahlia in full sun, in spring, when the danger of frost has passed. There are at least 50,000 cultivars of dahlias that have been bred from about 30 wild species, all native from Mexico to Columbia. They are considered tuberous-rooted perennials and they are in the aster family. One wild species, Dahlia excelsa, grows up to 18 feet tall, but modern breeders seek shorter varieties for the home garden. The American Dahlia Society organizes the many cultivars, estimated at 50,000 or more, into classes that include 15 colors, 20 forms, and nine flower sizes. Sizes range from "mignon,"which is 2 inches or less, to "giant," which exceeds 10 inches. Examples of forms are anemone-flowered, straight cactus, pompon, and formal decorative.

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