DS Doris Dahlia

DS Doris (3007 BB FD DR) is one of the newer dahlias to hit the market, already earning top honors in official trial gardens and dahlia shows. If you’re looking for exceptional fall color, this variety belongs at the top of your wish list. David Smith is the Hybridizor carring the DS Prefix. This dahllia was first released in 2025. I purchased this last year and I was able to get blooms by July 4^th of last year.

🔢 Classification Breakdown

• 3 — Size: BB

  • Indicates a 4–6 inch bloom

• 0 — Form: Formal Decorative

  • Petals are generally flat, broad, smooth in a regular pattern that gently recurves toward the stem.

• 07 — Color: Dark Red

  • Classified as Dark Red

🎨 Color & Appeal

• Distinct Fine Wine shades—deep plum, moody burgundy, and velvety richness

• A standout for autumn gardens and late‑season arrangements

• Color holds beautifully in both heat and cooler fall temperatures

☀️ Heat Tolerance

• Very heat tolerant — a major advantage in warm or humid climates

• Maintains bloom quality and foliage health even during hot stretches

• Performs reliably in challenging summer conditions

🌿 Growth Habit

• Reaches 4.5 feet in the garden

• Produces 4‑inch blooms on strong, upright stems

• Consistent, vigorous growth with excellent late‑season performance

• Ideal for cutting gardens thanks to its structure and stem strength

🏅 Trial Garden Excellence

• Entered into four ADS trial gardens and passed all of them

• Awarded the 2024 Derrill W. Hart Medal, given to the variety with the highest average scores across official trial gardens

• 🌟 About the Derrill W. Hart Medal

  • Named for Derrill Wason Hart (b. 1892, Pisgah, Kentucky)

  • University of Kentucky graduate, horticulturist, author, and major figure in the American Dahlia Society

  • Founded the University of Kentucky Dahlia Trial Garden in 1931

  • Served as ADS President in 1934

  • After his passing in 1935, the ADS established the Derrill W. Hart Memorial Medal to honor his legacy

🌺 Final Note

You simply can’t go wrong growing this velvety‑toned, high‑performing dahlia. DS Doris brings beauty, resilience, and award‑winning quality to any garden.