Dahlia 'Bashful'

'Myrtle's Folly' has one of the more complex blooms you will ever see on a dahlia. The flowers—a dense ball of narrow, irregular, twisted petals of deep pink and light orange—gradually mature to reveal a yellow center. Though slightly ungainly as a border plant, 'Myrtle's Folly' provides a steady supply of wonderful cut flowers that look lovely in a vase, where the frilly, candy-colored concoction of peach and pink can be enjoyed at close quarters.

Despite its humorous moniker, 'Hissy Fitz' isn't as irritable as its name suggests. Quite the reverse: It produces many strong, clear yellow blossoms. Due to small incisions at the tip of each petal, the overall effect is of a sunny, softly fringed pom-pom. Not a particularly tall grower, 'Hissy Fitz' grows sturdily, with stems that are simple to stake. All these qualities make it an easygoing addition to any sunny border.

Fine color, substantial size, and vigorous growth make 'David Howard' stand out from the crowd. Its blooms are a shade of apricot that contrasts pleasantly with its dark foliage and dark-hued companion plants. It is also agreeable both in the company of hot colors, like red and orange, or the cooler shades of blue and purple. It's a tall grower, which means it requires some staking and looks best in the middle or back of a border, where it will send up an endless succession of blooms that require no deadheading.

Reminiscent of a kid's drawing of a star, 'Honka' possesses a similarly cheery, simple charm. With a light fragrance, unusual among dahlias, 'Honka' brings a subtle show to the late-summer border. Flowers held on sturdy stems hover above the plant and combine well when positioned alongside taller perennials with dark foliage for a backdrop. Its medium height eliminates the need for staking and assigns 'Honka' a place right where it looks best—in the front portions of a border.