A Favourite Lavender Pink Dahlia

Dahlia 'Genova'

  'Which is your favourite Dahlia variety?' I was asked last month.⁠ That's a tough question for a Dahlia geek like myself.⁠
  I've been growing Dahlia's for at least 20 years, & this year the collection is over 400 strong. Less than some years as many were lost in last winter's cold spell.⁠
  Every year, some varieties fall by the wayside - perhaps not productive enough, or too short lived in a vase. Perhaps the colour simply wasn't popular with our Customers.⁠
  And others are tried for the first time - perhaps recommended by another grower, seen at a plant nursery or on Insta.⁠
  Some I grow simply because I love them, even if borderline commercial! (Yes, I'm looking straight at the giant varieties such as Labyrinth, Breakout & Babylon Bronze here. Fabulous for an urn at a wedding/party but hopeless in a 'Friday Flowers' bouquet.)⁠
  So while walking among the cutting beds in the past few days, checking how buds are coming along, I've created a shortlist of my essential Dahlias for most colours. These are the ones I grow every year & would miss greatly when making bouquets or in the garden. ⁠
  Which is a start of an answer, of sorts...⁠
  Let me introduce you first to Dahlia 'Genova', a must-have little darling. A pale lavender-pink ballet skirt with white, deepening in colour with age.
  ⁠If there's a Dahlia in the 'Flower Fairy' books, surely this has to be the one she wears?⁠ Definitely on my list every year!
  Which is your favourite Dahlia in the lavender-pink class?