I' ve written previously that I expected my allotment dahlias to give a powerful display of hot colours but instead were putting out attractive purple chocolatey pompons and delicate pinks. And there's nothing wrong with that.
Now a third tuber is blooming and doing what was promised on the packet! 
Dahlias are flamboyant, never dull.
Beautiful dahlias! I planted a new kind this year that was supposed to be a hot orange color (or so it looked on the package). It turned out be a faded purple color! Not quite what I was expecting, but I enjoy them - no matter what the color. Those red ones you have are beautiful.
Posted by: Christa | August 16, 2006 at 03:21 AM
Christa,
My tubers were from a mixed pack at a bargain basement price sold through a farm supply shop - so I wasn't expecting much! But my wife bought several tuber through RHS Wisley (supplied by Taylor's a reputable company)and she was diasappointed - over half looked nothing like what was on the packet in terms of their colour, though they were true to type.
Posted by: john curtin | August 16, 2006 at 12:14 PM