I could create a whole party around this one!
Dahlia Seedling Pictures - 2023
- Edited
I've been struggling for hours trying to get these two photos to look as black as the seedlings do. There are 2 diffierent ones but both in the section of HH Black Beauty seedlings. THe first one is a Cactus that appears black as can be until you look at it harder and see that the back petals have some purple coloring.It is 5-6". The smaller one (3-4") Has so many petals still to open and the back of those rolled petals have a silver metallic sheen. 
It is probalby 5"-6".They both appear to be really nice cut flowers! I want to try some bouquets with silver foliage with them.[
The 2nd picture is the 5-6" flower and it really appears coal black rxcept for the back row of petals and a few others that show the purple. Petal backs are a silvery lavender, The smaller lower has lighter silvery stripes on the back of the very black petals. I would say the smaller one is 3-3.5". Both have very nice stems.
Black Beauty has been a good seed parent for you. It is remarkable that so many sizes and forms appear in the seedlings. Your dark one is really dark. Here is a picture of a formal decorative Black Beauty seedling with sprinkler water on it.
calico20hill These both are lovely! I do love when the petals are a different color on the back, even if by just the slightest. Very pretty! I think River’s Dark Chocolate is the darkest variety I planted, and the only one remotely close. I’ve been enjoying your Hollyhill Black Beauty seedlings though, and the deeper colors more than I thought I would! I’ll have to add more to the line up for next year - I see now how pretty they must be in an arrangement.
Teddahlia I believe most of you will appreciate the color of this one.
I love this one. Such complex colors!
My 2nd seedling of the season is here and I'm having so much fun! I'm thankful 2022 Missy decided to save seeds!
This is AC White Rabbit seed, open pollinated. I was surprised when I looked at the tag. I would have guessed this was one of my Ferncliff Copper seedlings, but the tag says no.
I thought for sure it would stay downward facing but has improved to clock faced. 
The color is quite pretty in person and I like the pink on the backs of the petals. Hopefully petal splits go away and the center doesn't blow. One can dream! 
MissyWeitzel I've notice that Sweet Nathalie is more downward facing in intense sun. I have a genetically identical plant that's in a lot of afternoon shade and the buds are upward facing at this point. Just an observation, I'll have to see if I can find a pattern with any other plants that might have a tendency to be clockface.
THe larger of the two Black Beauty seedlings this morning had themorning sun shining through it and lighting it up and it was all a black magenta so that is its basic color I guess. Even where it looks pure black it is underlaid with the magenta. THe maller black seedling remains very black but the back of the petals are showing more silvery. I hope I still have more seedlings of HHBB to open because they are the most fabulous I have going right now.
Black Beauty won the Stanley Johnson award and he was the president of the ADS back when. Black Beauty has 12.5% of the genes of Hollyhill Electra.
AndreaB , I look at the @Teddahlia pictures of the beautiful Dahlias he has created, ones I can dream of growing
someday, and indeed sometimes feel like I'm being teased! But then I think to myself, what dedication, commitment, year after year of sweating and achy muscles he and Margaret have endured to have such success. I think he has earned the right to tease a novice like me a bit.
I cannot believe it but the flower above that is picotee and a wonderful blend of colors, may be one that fades almost immediately. I will be watching for additional flowers.
calico20hill Today the center is a royal purple with purple black petals toward the middle. The still closed center shows silver backing them. The camera seems to find it impossible to record so the photo is a little off.
. To my eyes it is excitingly beautiful...but that is strictly an emotion non professional opinion. I do have to say that the shade of purple in the just opened petals is stunning...THis one is a whole thunderstorm complete with lightning!
calico20hill Ohhhh! This one is excitingly beautiful to my eyes too, Noni!
Here is Blimey-Limey all decked out with her first bloom. I would have never thought it would survive the field given her leaf coloring but she defied all odds.
I have wondered why cameras do not pick up purple accurately. Perhaps it is because dahlias may have violet it them and that is not on the list of colors for cameras. I believe Violet is a color in the rainbow but purple is not.
