When I was younger I used to hate dahlias, and thought them to be an "old person's" flower. I don't know if it's because I am, indeed, now an "old person', or that the variety in shape and colour of dahlias has improved so much, but I love them for cut flowers. I have been cutting from mine since June, and they will keep going until the frost cuts them down. Worth every penny spent on them, and very productive for a small space.