Southtown Dahlia Club

09/07/2026

https://youtu.be/_jpRmQ8K92s?is=kWpLGoQ_f-b-4rl4

Congratulations and thank you to all who made the 89th Annual Southtown Dahlia Club 2026 Dahlia Show a great success!

Here are the Honor Table Winners. Many more beautiful blooms deserve credit as well!

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08/31/2026

SDC members and fellow dahlia lovers headed to the ADS National Show in Grand Rapids, MI, this weekend to show and judge dahlias while enjoying tours of local growers' gardens, presentations, the banquet, and lots of dahlia camaraderie. We're proud to say we did pretty well on the show tables too! Congratulations to everyone who helped make it a great weekend!
🏆be sure to join in the fun at SDC Show coming up this week, Crestwood, IL🌸

08/27/2026

A reminder from one of our sweet members that the Southtown Dahlia Show is coming up fast on 9/5! 🌸
She's been busy preparing judging sheets, getting the award stickers ready for our winners, and multitasking like a pro by keeping both the SDC President and 1st VP in line while she's at it. We all know that's no small job! 😊

Come show your dahlias...we will help u stage them. Here's all the details to join us: https://southtowndahliaclub.com/dahlia-show-1

08/24/2026

Equally fabulous dahlia blooms and exhibitors made their way to Wellfield Botanic Gardens 8/23 for the Elkhart Dahlia Society Annual Show. Southtowners Enjoyed The Day Competing In Various Dahlia Classes!! Vendors and food trucks scattered throughout the grounds to peruse...make sure to be there next year, truly a lively event and setting!! Thanks to EDS for their planning and day-of volunteers so the blooms could shine.

08/19/2026

Southtown Dahlia Club 89th Annual Dahlia Show
Crestwood Civic Center 13820 s Cicero Ave

- Labor Day Weekend
This Labor Day Weekend, the Southtown Dahlia Club is set to transform the holiday into a celebration of color, creativity, and community spirit as it hosts its 89th Annual Dahlia Show, a beloved tradition that continues to draw gardeners, families, and flowerlovers from across the Midwest.
The show will take place Saturday, September 5, from 1–4 p.m., and Sunday, September 6, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Crestwood Civic Center. Admission and parking are free.
More than 600 dazzling dahlia blooms—from tiny micro varieties to massive giants—will fill the Civic Center. Attendees can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, a lively tradition that lets everyone participate in choosing the most stunning bloom of the weekend. Families will find plenty to enjoy, with volunteers on hand to answer questions, share growing tips, and introduce newcomers to the world of dahlias.
One of the most exciting features of the event is its opendoor policy for new growers. If you have a dahlia in bloom on September 5, you can enter it in the show—no experience required. The Southtown Dahlia Club encourages firsttime participants to learn how easy and fun it is to participate – members will be available to assist. Competitors can set up their entries on Friday, September 4, from 6–10 p.m., or Saturday, September 5, from 5–10 a.m.
Full competitor details are available online: https://southtowndahliaclub.com/dahlia-show-1 or via this QR code.
With its vibrant displays, friendly atmosphere, and deep community roots, the Southtown Dahlia Club’s Annual Dahlia Show remains a cherished Labor Day tradition. Whether you’re a seasoned grower, a nature photographer, a curious beginner, or simply someone who loves beautiful things, this year’s event promises a weekend filled with color, inspiration, and joy.
Southtown Dahlia Club is a nonprofit organization passionate about sharing the beauty, knowledge, and joy of dahlias while promoting gardening and supporting habitats for monarchs and other pollinators. Annual memberships are available. The Club offers engaging gardening presentations for libraries, garden clubs, and community groups. Be sure to visit the dahlia garden at Lake Katherine, where members volunteer their time and talents to bring breathtaking blooms to life for everyone to enjoy.
Mark your calendar — the dahlias are waiting.

08/18/2026

🌸 An ADS Trial Garden Judging Day That Had It All! 🌸 8/15/26
A little sunshine, a little rain, lots of inspiration, beautiful dahlias, friends old and new, a stunning setting, great education, and of course, a delicious potluck!
Dahlia judges gathered at the ADS Trial Garden at Bonneyville Mill in Bristol, Indiana, where the Elkhart Dahlia Society works tirelessly to grow tubers submitted each year by hybridizers. Tucked away "through the woods and around the bend," this special garden reveals itself as a little piece of beauty and dedication to the future of dahlias.
The American Dahlia Society has eight trial gardens across the United States, each playing an important role in evaluating new varieties and helping identify the best dahlias for future introductions. It was so fun to judge these blooms.
Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge, fellowship, and enthusiasm...and Elkhart Dahlia Society members who hosted. Days like this remind us that dahlias bring together not only extraordinary flowers but also an extraordinary community.
🌺 🌺

08/16/2026

🌸 Upcoming Dahlia Shows 🌸
We’re less than a month away from our 89th Annual Dahlia Show in Crestwood, IL — don’t miss it! It’s always a spectacular weekend of blooms, community, and inspiration.
And be sure to check out our neighboring society shows as well. Each Midwest event puts on its own incredible display, and they’re all worth a visit.
• AUGUST 22-23 - Badger State Dahlia Society Show
Goodman Community Center, Madison, WI.
• AUGUST 23 - Elkhart Dahlia Society Show
Wellfield Botanic Garden, Elkhart, IN
• AUGUST 29-30 - ADS National Show, hosted by West Michigan Dahlia Society
Fredrik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI
• SEPT 5-6 - Southtown Dahlia Club
Crestwood Civic Center, Crestwood, IL
• SEPT 19-20 - Central States Dahlia Society Show
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL

Want more details on visiting and exhibiting? Visit the websites — links in comments.

08/10/2026

GARDEN WALK — This past weekend, SDC members enjoyed a visit to John K’s home gardens. It was a time to reconnect with fellow members, talk all-things-dahlias, and enjoy an absolutely gorgeous stroll to see dahlias blooming and buds in prime form to bloom for the show season. A warm thank‑you to John for opening his gardens to us.

*****Please note: The August meeting is cancelled*****
See you at the SDC Show!