Silver Years

Silver Years is a luminous waterlily dahlia in the palest wash of blush pink, cream, and lavender, with petals that can appear almost silvery in certain light. Her broad, gently cupped petals open into an elegant, airy flower rather than a dense decorative form, giving her a wonderfully soft presence in both the garden and the vase.

Bred in the Netherlands by Kees and Aad Verwer / Gebr. Verwer, Silver Years dates to the early 1990s and has become a beloved cutting variety for her romantic coloring, strong stems, and prolific flowering habit. Sources generally place her introduction in 1992–1993. 

📋 Cultivar Notes

• Breeder / Hybridizer: Kees & Aad Verwer / Gebr. Verwer
• Year of Introduction: 1992–1993
• Origin: Netherlands
• Form: Waterlily (WL)
• ADS Classification Number: 7310 (Waterlily / Light Blend) 
• Bloom Size: Generally around 4 to 5 inches
• Color: Pale blush pink and cream with subtle lavender undertones, often reading almost silver from a distance
• Cut Flower Status: Excellent. Silver Years is especially valued for strong stems, abundant flowering, and a soft color palette that works beautifully in wedding and garden-style design. 
• Show & Exhibition Flower Status: Yes. Confirm the current ADS listing before entering.

🌱 Growing Notes

• Bloom: Soft blush-pink waterlily blooms with creamy centers and subtle lavender or silvery tones. The petals are broad and gently cupped, creating a graceful, open silhouette.
• Plant Height & Habit: Generally around 3½ to 4½ feet tall, with an upright, productive habit. 
• Growing Notes: Known as a prolific producer with strong cutting stems. Multiple growers report steady flower production through the season, making her especially desirable for bouquet work.
• Tuber Yield: Reported by growers to be very good, with healthy tuber production and reliable storage, though performance at Hedge & Alchemy will be tracked once she is grown here.