A Flower for the Fog: San Francisco’s Love Story with Dahlias
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
October 4, 1926
On this day, dear readers, San Francisco embraced a most enchanting bloom as its official flower.
The Dahlia, with its myriad forms and kaleidoscopic hues, was bestowed the honor of representing the City by the Bay.
This horticultural coup was orchestrated by none other than the Dahlia Society of California, a group whose passion for these captivating flowers had been blooming for nearly a decade.
Picture, if you will, the scene at the Board of Supervisors headquarters, as reported by a local newspaper:
The... desks in the headquarters of the Board of Supervisors burst into bloom yesterday, when the Dahlia Society of California ... presented a petition asking for the dahlia's "appointment" as the official flower of San Francisco.
The petition...pointed out that... nowhere else in the world is such favorable soil for the Dahlia found.
As the city's official flower, [the Dahlia] will win worldwide notice for San Francisco in the same manner [that the rose has for] Portland. [
As the petition was read, women], armed with great bouquets of giant dahlias, distributed the colorful blossoms among the listening Supervisors.
Supervisor James B. McSheehy, presiding over the meeting, was surrounded by a bower of enormous blooms.
Oh, what a sight it must have been!
The very air perfumed with the sweet scent of persuasion and petals.
Since that fateful day in 1926, the Dahlias have faithfully put on their most spectacular show in early August at the Dahlia Dell in Golden Gate Park.
It's a delightful irony that these vibrant blooms reach their peak during San Francisco's foggiest, grayest month.
One can almost imagine them as nature's defiant response to the city's infamous summer chill.
For those eager to witness this floral spectacle, simply saunter east past the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park.
There, you'll find the Dahlia Dell, still lovingly tended by volunteers from the Dahlia Society of California.
These dedicated souls not only maintain the garden but also host an annual Dahlia & Tuber Sale and a two-day Dahlia show. What devotion!
Now, my dear gardeners, as we transition from the warmth of summer to the crisp embrace of autumn, it's time to consider the care of our beloved Dahlias.
Once Jack Frost has paid his first visit, it's our cue to gently unearth the Dahlia and canna tubers, preparing them for their winter slumber.
The esteemed Empress of Dirt, Melissa Will, offers this sage advice:
Every enthusiastic dahlia grower will tell you their storage method works like a charm. And - they are right - for their specific conditions. The point is, it's the health of the tuber and the overall environment that counts.
The optimum storage temperature is 40-45°F (4-7°C). We run into problems when the heating systems in our homes make the humidity level too low for the tubers.
Consider using the plastic food wrap method where each tuber is wrapped individually to keep moisture in. Growers who use this method report a higher number of viable tubers each spring.
Exposure to some cold is necessary for their development each year so we wait until early frosts have blackened the foliage before digging up the tubers and storing them for the winter.
Come spring, a handy rule is, if it's the right time to plant tomatoes, it's the right time to plant dahlias.
On a brighter note, while not entirely deer-proof, dahlias are not their first food choice when other plants are available.
For those seeking to deepen their Dahlia devotion, I heartily recommend Dahlias by Naomi Slade. This 2018 publication, subtitled Beautiful Varieties for Home & Garden, is a veritable feast for the eyes and mind.
Naomi Slade, a biologist by training and a naturalist by inclination, has penned 240 pages of delightful Dahlia discourse. The stunning photographs by Georgianna Lane, a leading garden photographer, bring these magnificent blooms to life on every page.
As we bid farewell to the Dahlias for another season, let us take a moment to appreciate their rich history and enduring beauty.
From their humble beginnings as a food crop (yes, both the tubers and roots are edible, with a flavor reminiscent of potatoes and carrots) to their exalted status as San Francisco's floral emblem, these flowers have captivated hearts and gardens alike.
Named for the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, and sharing a family tree with daisies and sunflowers, Dahlias remind us of the endless variety and wonder in nature's garden.
So, my fellow gardeners, as you tenderly store your Dahlia tubers this autumn, dream of the riot of color that awaits you come spring.
And remember, in the words of San Francisco's flower enthusiasts, nowhere else in the world is such favorable soil for the Dahlia found as in our own cherished gardens.