CHILSON'S PRIDE (1954)

BB-ID-LB 3110

Form: Informal Decorative  

Size: Small 4-6"

Color: Light Blend White and Pink 

Hybridizer: Carl Chilson 

Introduction Year: 1954*

Misfit Monday post March 5, 2024: 

CHILSON'S PRIDE is an absolute classic dahlia! IMO ;) It is a gorgeous small sized (4-6in), light blend, informal decorative, that pumps out the blooms! It was hybridized some time around 1954 making it a Heritage Dahlia here at Misfit Dahlias. According to the ADS CHILSON'S PRIDE was hybridized by C. Chilson. Who, after much research, I am assuming is Carl Ross Chilson (1901-1995) of Tumwater Washington. Although finding any more information about him has been really difficult. Most searches lead to the Dahlia named CARL CHILSON (a sport of CHILSON'S PRIDE by Les Connell). I did find a lot of references to a "Carl Chilson of Olympia" winning many show ribbons through the ADS bulletins in the 1940s but nothing linking him and CHILSON'S PRIDE. So it's all kind of a hunch based on the timeline of events and locations. I would love to hear if anyone has anymore information on C. Chilson. For now I will just keep on enjoying this bloom. As many have in the past. For a long time it was a great show winner, as Bill McClaren describes in his book. And in 2022 it was still the top of its class with 33 overall blue ribbons. Beating, dare I say, the fabulous AC TWISP and one of my all time favorites LAKEVIEW BLUSH! (Side note LAKEVIEW BLUSH is the Dahlia in my logo) I'm interested to see how CHILSON'S PRIDE did last year in the show world, it seems to have fallen out of favor in some eyes but in mine I still love it! And it will always have a home here among the other heritage dahlias