The National Dahlia Society was formed in 1881 and for over a century has given unbroken service to gardeners interested in this wonderful flower. We are now a registered charity, which seeks to promote the dahlia by means of exhibitions (shows), trials and conferences. We are the world's largest all-dahlia society and annually hold our main exhibitions at the Bath and West Showground at Shepton Mallet and the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, Yorkshire, with reduced admission for members of course!
Twice a year - with our Winter Bulletin and summer publication, The Dahlia Annual - we keep members informed on every aspect of dahlia news, with items covering culture, trials, shows, cultivar selection, etc. These books are issued free to members, and in addition, on enrolment, our current Classified Directory (containing lists of recommended cultivars) and
Grow dahlias for Pleasure are also sent free of charge to the new member.
Other events are organised annually, like our conferences, held
around the country in March. Mention must be made of the Society's unique information service, that helps members with any problems they might have and provides for personal contact with our representatives in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. We also have linking contacts with international dahlia societies, this forming a chain of information for our members that spans the globe.
You can enrol today, and become part of this friendly group of dahlia lovers. You won't regret it!
In addition to the above, the Society has some regional representatives who represent the views of their area and act as liaison officers with the NDS.
These representatives are:
and
Ireland: Frank Hoey, Staleen, Donore, Drogheda, Co. Meath, Ireland
A number of dahlia, and other societies are affiliated societies to the National Dahlia Society. This gives them the right to enter inter Society classes at National Shows, and to award National Dahlia Society Medals at their own shows as well as advertising their presence in NDS publications. In addition they receive the literature that individual members receive on joining.
Benefits of membership
Members receive a Winter Bulletin and Dahlia Annual each year, and on joining they also receive the current Classified Directory of dahlias containing lists of recommended cultivars along with rules for judging and classifying, and a list of local societies that they may wish to contact. A cultural guide is also given. Reduced entry to NDS exhibitions is also available, as is access to the society's information services, but more importantly you become a member of a friendly society where all members do their best to help other members when they need it.