A petaled panoply

This grab bag of buds and blooms showcases just a smidgeon of the possibilities presented by this flexible flower genus. More than 40 species of dahlia are officially recognized, and through hybridization and selective breeding, hundreds of colors and shapes can be realized in their proliferous petals. The starburst quality of their blossoms is reflected in their family name: Asteraceae, a vast classification that encompasses sunflowers, daisies, mums, and many more. Native to Mexico, dahlias can thrive just about anywhere frost is rare—the floral rainbow in our photo is from a large farm near Portland, Oregon.