Regional dahlia show attracts growers and fanciers to Oaks Park

Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 24, 2024

Although it was quite late in the dahlia growing season, the historic Oaks Amusement Park Dance Pavilion was abuzz, as exhibitors from four states – Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California – arrived to display their blooms at the Portland Dahlia Society Annual Show held in early October.

Row upon row of tables were laden with many of the 42 recognized species of dahlias – as well as a number of the 57,000 registered varieties – in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, orange, red, and purple.

“Our show features a total of 1,795 blooms,” PDS spokesperson Larry Smith exclaimed on the opening day of the show. “This number of blossoms makes this year’s show one of the most successful in recent memory!

“Changes in the climate have made it challenging to produce quality blooms by our traditional late-August show date – so the Society decided to move our show to early September,” Smith told THE BEE. But then, due to September date conflicts with the American Dahlia Society’s National Show, this regional exhibition was finally moved to the end of the season.

“Still, the quality of the blooms shown is simply amazing,” extolled Smith. “Our biggest challenge was finding enough room on tables to display them all, including more than forty dahlia arrangements.”

In addition to enjoying all the exhibits, many attendees specifically came to talk with the experienced dahlia growers, who were on hand to get answers and tips about growing dahlias. If you missed it, expect the Portland Dahlia Society’s annual show to appear at Oaks Amusement Park again next year. Watch for the date.

Meantime, from this year’s show, see the more than 1,000 dahlia blooms that were on display, in this exclusive BEE VIDEO! See them being admired, and being judged, right here — https://youtu.be/8MGwtNTtCoA