20th Ave Old Major - Fall

20th Ave Old Major is one of those dahlias that makes you stop for a second when you are cutting through the rows. The blooms are beautifully rounded, full and incredibly orderly, with layers of lavender petals that create an almost perfect ball. It has a strong, classic dahlia look, but the soft color keeps it from ever feeling heavy.

On our farm, varieties like Old Major are especially valuable because they can go in so many directions. A single bloom can give a market bouquet an instant focal point, while several stems together have enough presence for a florist to build an entire color story around. For wedding work, I especially like this shade alongside blush, dusty rose, mauve, burgundy and soft whites—the lavender brings something unexpected without overpowering the rest of the palette.

The substantial ball-shaped flowers also have the kind of form that looks just as impressive growing in the garden as it does freshly cut in a vase. There is something incredibly satisfying about harvesting a stem with such a perfectly packed bloom at the top.

Old Major has earned plenty of attention in the dahlia world, including both the Derrill W. Hart Medal and Lynn B. Dudley Medal, and once you see those beautifully formed lavender blooms coming out of the field, it is easy to understand why.

For gardeners who appreciate strong form, sophisticated color and a dahlia that truly performs as a cut flower, this is a wonderful one to grow.

Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Ball
Bloom Size: Approximately 4–5 inches
ADS Classification: 6008
Best For: Cutting gardens, market bouquets, florist work, weddings & exhibition