Rawhide

Rawhide is a beautifully unusual Swan Island introduction with the coloring of a faded western sunset: peach, apricot, soft yellow, dusty rose, and raspberry-red layered into a bloom that changes dramatically depending on the angle. The upper petals glow in warm peach and yellow, while the rich rose-red reverses and fine darker edging give her surprising depth.

Her form is a little unconventional. Rawhide is widely grown and sold as a waterlily-style dahlia, although she was internationally registered as a decorative cultivar. That slightly relaxed structure is part of her charm, giving the flowers a softer, less rigid silhouette than a traditional formal decorative. 

🌱 2027 Grow-Out

Rawhide will arrive at Hedge & Alchemy in Spring 2027 and will be grown here for the first time that season. She will not be offered in our 2027 tuber sale.

📋 Cultivar Notes

• Breeder / Hybridizer: Swan Island Dahlias
• Year of Introduction: 2008
• Origin: USA
• Form: Waterlily-style; internationally registered as Decorative
• Bloom Size: Approximately 4 inches
• Color: Peach and yellow with rose-red edging and deep rose-red petal reverses
• Cut Flower Status: Excellent. Swan Island specifically selected Rawhide as a cut-flower variety, noting strong holding qualities in the vase. 
• Show & Exhibition Flower Status: Because the registered form and commonly grown waterlily-style form differ, I would confirm the current ADS classification before entering her in competition.

🌱 Growing Notes

• Bloom: Approximately 4 inches, opening in warm peach that blends toward yellow, with narrow rose-red margins and dramatically darker red reverses. The contrasting underside flashes between the petals and gives the bloom a layered, almost hand-painted appearance.
• Plant Height & Habit: Approximately 4 feet tall, with an upright, productive habit.
• Growing Notes: Known as a prolific bloomer with good stems and flowers that hold well after cutting. She generally begins flowering around the average 90-day mark and can continue producing well into the later season. 
• Tuber Yield: To be tracked during our 2027 grow-out.