Did you know that the dahlia is the national flower of Mexico? It should not come as a surprise since the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala are considered the home of origin for today's dahlia ancestors. 16th century Spanish conquistadors, while busy conquering the vast Aztec Indian nation, also made some interesting explorations-one of which was the collection of New World plant life. Botanist accompanying the soldiers discovered what is sometimes referred to as the tree dahlia(D. imperialis). The flowers of this species were open-centered, single blooms with pendant stems. The hollow stems of these plants, some growing to over 20 feet, were often used for hauling water or as an actual source of water to traveling hunters. In fact the Aztec name for "tree dahlias" was acocotli or water-cane.

There is also a sweet story from the eighteenth century concerning love and dahlias.

Sir Godfrey Webster was living in Florence with his wife when young Lord Holland came to town. Lady Webster took off with Lord Holland and in 1796 their first son was born. A year later old Sir Godfrey divorced her and she and Lord Holland were able to marry. The love affair between the lad of twenty and the girl of twenty-three blossomed into a long and happy marriage. And after they had been together some twenty years he wrote for her a little poem.

Between 1800 and 1805 the Hollands lived in France and in Spain where Lady Holland first saw dahlias that had reached Spain about 15 years before. She sent some home and it is on the strength of that shipment that she is given credit for the introduction of the dahlia into England.

The Dahlia is the official flower of San Francisco.

Here is the poem he wrote for her:

The Dahlia you brought to our isle

Your praises for ever shall speak:

Mid gardens as sweet as your smile,

And colour as bright as your cheek.