outing

This is the fourth year in a row that I've taken Alli to the Dahlia Garden. Many people don't know about it because it's kind of hidden, right next to the Conservatory, in Golden Gate Park. The dahlia is my favorite flower, and my excitement for it seems to have rubbed off on Alli. She likes to ask all of the names, and we try to guess why each name was chosen for the corresponding flower.

Dahlias are native to Mexico, but they grow really well in the bay area. When I worked at Rose and Radish, we would occasionally get members from The Dahlia Society in the shop, they'd spout off names and ask questions. Were they ever a crazy crowd, even nuttier than Orchid ladies.