Paula's Dahlias
I started flower farming in 2015 selling cut flowers to local florists. In 2020, I sold to a flower wholesaler in Charlotte, NC. At one point, I was growing over 4800 dahlias. I have retired from selling blooms. I started collecting dahlia seeds from my dahlia field in 2020. It is funny how starting some dahlias from seed really changed my focus. Each year, I cannot wait to see the magic that was created from the bee pollination in the previous year. I evaluate a dahlia from seed for at least three years. I am looking for a dahlia that tolerates the summer heat and humidity with strong stems, attractive bloom angle, nice growth habit, good vase life, and produces tubers that store well over the winter. I have put a lot of time and care into my dahlias from seed. All my first-year dahlias from seed are grown in full sun. I strive to have a fully double dahlia that keeps a closed tight center during the summer. I do have a shade structure with 30% shade cloth for the rest of my dahlias as I find that it really helps the dahlias not to stress as much when the humidity is very high in the summer.
I am a member of the American Dahlia Society (ADS). In 2021, I became an ADS Candidate judge so that I could learn about exhibiting dahlias. I find having this judging education and experience has helped me to identify traits for a very good dahlia. I have shown a couple of my dahlias from seed at the Carolinas Dahlia Society show in Cashiers, NC. In 2024, my Paula’s Paul Wix won a blue ribbon in the "Open To All" section at the ADS show in Cashiers, NC. My Paula’s Divine won a blue ribbon in the second year seeding section at the ADS show in Cashiers, NC. It is not possible for me to exhibit all my seedlings at ADS shows. The Carolinas Dahlia Society show is the only locally sanctioned ADS show in my area. If I wanted to attend another dahlia show, I would need to go to Georgia or Maryland and that is not always possible as my husband has a full-time job, and I have a Boykin Spaniel dog that does not do well with boarding. I do the best I can to exhibit some of my dahlias at the Carolinas Dahlia Society show. A lot of hybridizers do not go through the ADS process for every new dahlia cultivar. Anyone who follows me on Instagram and especially the dahlia growers that follow me on my Instagram stories know how much time and care that I put into my dahlia seedlings.
I name my dahlias using the prefix “Paula’s”. I have some Paula's dahlias from 2021 and 2022 that I plan to sell in December 2025 and/or January 2026 for shipping in April of 2026. That is so exciting for me. Dahlias are very popular so dahlia tuber sales can be crazy with so much high traffic that websites have issues with all the volume at one time. I do not want a stressful tuber sale as I want to be just as excited as my customers. If I have a public tuber sale, some of the people that have been following me for a long time may not be fast enough to purchase the dahlia tubers. I know I have a newsletter subscriber list on my website, but I have over 2000 subscribers.
I decided to start a "Garden Bee Hive" membership club which is limited to less than 50 people. The cost of the membership is $29.95 per year. As a member, you should be able to purchase the Paula's dahlia cultivar that you want, and you will be supporting me as a dahlia hybridizer as I am not collecting royalties. I had a list of people that have expressed interest in my dahlias over the years. I gave those individuals a chance to join the “Garden Bee Hive” membership club this year. At this time, the Garden Bee Hive membership is full so I will not be accepting any more memberships. This membership gives you first access to Paula's new dahlia releases, my dahlia seed sale, and any other products that I may sell online during that time frame of the membership. Dahlia tubers sales can sell out in minutes so having first access to the tuber sale reduces that stress and gives you a pleasant, exciting shopping experience.
When I have a dahlia tuber sale, the members of the Garden Bee Hive will have first access to my tuber sale. After that private tuber sale, I will announce my tuber sale on my Instagram stories and to my website newsletter subscribers. The tubers will be available on my website for the public sale; however, there will be limits of one to three per dahlia cultivar. There may be some of Paula's dahlia cultivars not available to the public after the Garden Bee Hive member sale.
I am asking $24.95 per tuber, and I feel that price is very competitive with what other dahlia breeders are charging as many breeders are charging between $30.00 and $50.00 per tuber. I am not restricting the resale of my dahlia cultivars through trademarks/royalties or any other means. I do ask that you always use the full name of my dahlia. For example, when referring to Paula’s Paul Wix, please use the full name and do not abbreviate it.
I am a small dahlia grower, so I really appreciate your support. I thank all of you for following along on my dahlia journey. I really appreciate all your comments in my Instagram posts and stories. I appreciate all your encouragement!
Paula
