Sometimes you can just see why a particular variety has stood the test of time. Dahlia 'Thomas A. Edison' is a case in point — this heirloom favourite, first bred in the U.S. and introduced back in 1929, deserves every bit of its acclaim, with its massive dinnerplate heads in handsome, deep magenta purple. This conspicuous shade is consistent across each huge flowerhead — ever so slightly lighter at the edges – with involute petals providing true depth of colour in the centre.

Like the eminent scientist this variety is named after, dinnerplate Dahlia 'Thomas A. Edison' will provide a distinguished and valuable presence in your garden. This is an early bloomer, so with regular picking you can expect a profusion of flowers all summer long. Don’t be deceived by the relatively thin stems — they are made of tough stuff, making these flowers ideal for arranging. Perhaps competitive growing is your thing — as the largest purple dinnerplate variety, Dahlia 'Thomas A. Edison' is the perfect choice to scoop best bloom in show!