Originally named Acocotli ‘water cane’ and Cocoxochitl ‘water pipe flower’ by the Aztecs, the Dahlia is native to Mexico and Central America. This timeless beauty has a deep-rooted history among the Aztecs and was commonly used as a food source. The flower was introduced to Madrid towards the end of the eighteenth century and given the new name, Dahlia, in honor of the Swedish scientist and environmentalist Andreas Dahl. Horticultural growers learned that the Dahlia was a natural hybrid. Through decades of hard work, growers have cultivated the incredible 35 species we know and love today.