Fimbriated or Laciniated dahlias are blooms which have petals
where the ends are so deeply split that the overall effect of
the blooms is of a frilled appearance. There has been a lot of
debate in the U. S. A. over the last couple of years as to the
correct terminology of the Fimbriated or Laciniated dahlias. To
be correct the term Fimbriated in respect to a dahlias petals
means to be notched at the end, where as Laciniated means to have
distinct split at the end and not just a notch.
In the U.S.A. the designation has gone from Laciniated to Fimbriated
and now back to Laciniated, which now seems to be the new and
maybe correct definition for these beautiful dahlias.
The American Dahlia Society (ADS) because of the popularity of
this form of dahlia has now introduced a separate classification,
and this can surely only help to popularise the Fimbriated dahlia
(as we still call them).
With most of the ADS participating societies show schedules now
having a separate class for this type of dahlia. Fimbriated dahlias
were first introduced into the USA from South Africa by Cyril
Higgo in the late 1980’s, and they have not looked back since.
There is at present in the USA some 135 listed Fimbriated dahlias,
about 8.8% of the total listing in their classified directory.
The majority are medium, and small flowering, the main reason
for this appears to be that the Higgo seed seems to have a tendency
to produce medium and small varieties. The challenge now to the
hybridisers is to produce quality giant, large, and miniature
varieties. The ADS rules until 1996 required the split in the
petal end of a Fimbriated dahlia to be at least one sixth of the
petal length. Measured at the equator of the bloom this requirement
left a lot of the Fimbriated type of dahlias who’s petal
split was less than one sixth unclassified, because they did not
fit this criteria. This seemed to affect mainly in the size groups
above medium.
At the 1996 annual meeting of the ADS the one sixth of the petal
length criteria was dropped, and hopefully this will now allow
many of the larger flowering types to appear in the classified
directory.
Unlike the majority of the UK top exhibition dahlias, the top
Fimbriated dahlias do not all come in yellow or white, but come
in a wide variety of bright colours and blends, and they are a
breath of fresh air to the dahlia scene.
During the past seven years I have grown over 40 varieties from
all over the world but mainly the U. S. A. and each year I look
forward to seeing the new varieties of Fimbriated dahlias bloom.
I have this coming year twelve new varieties with for the first
time all Cyril Higgo’s new varieties, which I hope to release
for him in the UK, and these frilled beauties are always the main
attraction to visitors to my garden during the flowering season.
In the NDS 1999 National Show there will be a Trophy class for
three vases of three blooms. I hope that this new class is well
supported so we can continue to expand this new section.
I hope sometime in the near future the classification committee
will take the bull by the horns and create a new group for this
relatively new dahlia form. Some of my favourite varieties I have
grown over the years are as follows:
Marlene Joy In my opinion still the best in the section, pink
and white.
Harvest a really strong grower easy makes a large, yellow and
bronze blends needs potash to strengthen stems.
Jennie this variety grew well for me without cover and can compete
with the best, white & lavender.
Nargold raised by Cyril Higgo of South Africa this orange and
yellow blends beauty is a must for any collection.
Lewie this variety will make large if pushed it comes in orange
and bronze and is another well worth growing.
Justin a lavender beauty if grown down will make a small but is
one of my favourites.
Belle of the Ball 1995 seedling this large comes with a big reputation.
Nenekazi from Cyril Higgo 1997 seedling again one everyone will
be growing.
Tioga Lovesong from Bridge View Dahlia Gardens USA comes with
a big reputation.
Mistral a 1996 release in dark blends and a winner.
Pee Gee in red and yellow blends, which will make a large.
Tioga Autumn a real beauty in blends of yellow and red one which
could go to the top.
Fildalgo Climax a true large in yellow a must for any collection.
Doris G a medium in bronze blends will win at any level.
For the future: Mingus Ida a large white a real beauty when on
release. Oreti Stacey a medium in pink blends. Tioga Dawn white
with pink tips to the petals. This is only a short list of the
varieties available, many growers and raisers especially in the
USA, are now specialising in this type of dahlia. I hope this
has encouraged you to grow a few Fimbriated / Laciniated dahlias
in the future, by what ever name they end up being called, and
to the future this depends on societies being prepared to include
classes in their schedules and the availability of these new varieties
to all growers not just the few.