The Paper Moon Collection

Every now and then, a few dahlias slip quietly into the shop under a paper moon. Although bred by myself, they don’t come with a Bell's prefix or an announcement, just playful names in the spirit of the 1920s - Miss Sugarplum Sue, Bobbie Dazzler, Delila C. Potter, Mrs. Temperance DeVille, East of Eden. It’s my way of tipping a hat to the catalogs of a century ago, when breeders gave their flowers names with charm, sass, and personality.

The Paper Moon Collection is more than just a little fun - it’s an earnest appreciation of the work done by breeders long gone. Looking back through old price lists, you realize how many hundreds of varieties have come and gone, each with its moment in the sun. It’s a humbling reminder that what we create today is only ever part of a much bigger story.

Think of these dahlias as Easter eggs - little winks in the lineup - meant to keep me grounded and to honor the joy and impermanence of this craft. Their descriptions are best read in an old-timey, Mid-Atlantic accent, the kind you’d hear in early films: part Broadway, part BBC, part jazz club. If you spot one, you’re in on the secret - just enjoy it for what it is: a bloom with a name that carries a bit of history, a bit of mischief, and a lot of gratitude.