Nothing surpasses the "wow" factor of the old-fashioned "dinner plate" dahlias of years gone by. Fortunately, they are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, due to their relative freedom from pests and diseases, and their large and showy flowers.

Dahlia 'September Morn' is a delightful combination of rose color in the center shading to orange, pink, and yellow on the longer petals. Flower size ranges from 4 to 6 inches across, and the shape is classified by the American Dahlia Society as formal decorative. Great in arrangements.

Plant in well-drained fertile soil in spring after the danger of frost has passed to obtain plants up to 5 feet tall by first frost. Most dahlias respond to day length in initial flowering: flower buds don't start to open until after the longest day of summer has passed. September Morn is among the earliest to begin flowering every year. Dahlias are not hardy in the Chicago area, but with a little care homeowners can overwinter tubers in their basements. After the foliage has been cut down by the first hard frost, but before the ground is frozen solid, remove the dead foliage, dig up the tubers, shake as much soil off as possible, and set them aside in the garage to "cure" for two to three weeks. The curing process allows the tubers to develop callus tissues to cover the cuts made when the dead foliage was removed. Place the tubers in an open-topped container, and surround them with dry sand, cedar chips (pet bedding litter), or very slightly moistened peat moss. Check mid-winter to ensure the tubers are still firm, and discard any that have begun to rot. In early spring, pot the tubers up and water lightly until growth begins. Grow in a sunny window until the danger of frost is past, and then plant out in the Garden.