In late August, I had the opportunity to attend the American Dahlia Society (ADS) National Show at the breathtaking Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For dahlia lovers, the ADS National Show is truly the Super Bowl of the season. As a Certified Dahlia Judge for a few years now, I was thrilled to learn I’d be judging at the national level alongside an incredible group of seasoned judges. Our team was assigned the AA and A Triple Bloom categories—some of the largest, most impressive dahlias in the show. The quality and consistency of the blooms were simply world-class!
Michael's Takeaway:
If you’re passionate about dahlias, I highly recommend joining your local dahlia society! I’ve made wonderful friends through the Colorado Dahlia Society, and there’s nothing quite like getting to "geek out" with fellow growers.
We’re already planning our trip to the 2027 National Show in Rochester, NY. Hope to see some of you there!