Dahlia Tubers At Menards - March 2026

At the hardware store this past weekend, I came across their racks of Spring flowering bulbs that had the usual assortment of lilies, gladiolas, peonies and....the star(s) of the show:  dahlia tubers.  A huge number of them are Dinnerplate varieties, which I'm (for now) staying away from in favor of the smaller types like ball, decorative, pompon and even collarettes.  

But, that doesn't mean the tuber selection isn't worth a once-over.  And, even a little bit of guided education on what they have and don't have for sale this season.   Here, below are a couple of photos showing a portion of their Spring bulbs - with a focus mostly on the non-dinnerplate dahlias.  (although...a few Dinnerplates snuck in here).  

I'm still a beginner when it comes to growing dahlias, so everyone of these is new (to me).  I thought it might be a good learning experience to research a few of these to see what I can learn.  After searching for details of each one in on the rack, here are some of the ones that jump out to me.

Blue Wish Dahlia.  This is one that I will buy if I go back.  Here's what Breck's says about it:

An elegant, colour-changing, water lily-type dahlia. A true spectacle in the garden, this dahlia's 4½" blooms transform from delicate white petals with vibrant purple tips to rich, solid lilac as they mature. The magical two-tone effect gives way to exquisite uniform colouring in stunning shades. Tall, sturdy stems make Blue Wish perfect for summery bouquets or as an eye-catching backdrop in borders alongside dark purple, white, pink or verdant green neighbours.

Polka is an anemone dahlia, which I haven't grown.  Dutch Grown product page says: 

Dahlia Polka is an enchanting anemone-flowered variety with creamy-white petals softly tipped in raspberry-pink, forming a delicate skirt around a rich golden-yellow center. Each bloom measures around 4–6 inches across, and no two flowers are exactly the same—some show more blush, while others lean more toward cream—making Polka a lively and ever-changing highlight in the summer garden.

They're selling Syliva Maren dahlias, but it turns out they're the *same* as Maarn.

Swan Island has a listing for Park Princess.  It is a Cactus dahlia, but on a very short plant.  Just 2' tall.  That's attractive to me.  

And last is a yellow one: Dahlia ‘Glorie van Heemstede. According to Bulbs Direct, it is a waterlily dahlia.

Dahlia ‘Glorie van Heemstede’ is a waterlily-type dahlia that embodies serene elegance with its buttery lemon-yellow blooms and minimalist petal structure. With fewer, broader petals than most dahlias, it offers a peaceful, uncluttered look.