Every hybridizer we work with carries a story, something tender and true that flows right into the flowers they create. Today we are honored to introduce you to Bill Doolittle, a gifted dahlia breeder whose work and heart we deeply admire.
A Family Story Rooted in Dahlias
Bill grew up on a farm in western New York, where dahlias were more than beautiful. They were a living tribute. His father, born in 1921, lost his mother to tuberculosis when he was very young. One of the few memories he held of her was that dahlias were her favorite flower, so he grew them faithfully beside the family home in her honor.
Watching his father tend those blooms is what first stirred Bill’s lifelong love for dahlias. In time, he joined the Rochester Dahlia Society to learn more, eager to keep improving and sharing this beloved flower with others.
A Passion for Creating Something New
Bill has now been showing dahlias for ten years, and nearly all of what he shows – 99 percent! – are varieties he personally developed. Some began with hand pollination of carefully chosen parent plants. Others began with bees working their quiet magic. But all carry Bill’s thoughtful, careful eye for form and color.
His dedication to the dahlia world extends far beyond his own garden rows. Bill is a past president of the Rochester Dahlia Society. He has introduced children to dahlias through 4-H clubs and has given public presentations at the New York State Fair encouraging people to join their local societies and learn how to grow better blooms.
The Meaning Behind the Names
Bill’s prefix NY stands for western New York, where each of these flowers was bred and grown.
Many of Bill’s introductions are named after family members he cherishes.
- NY Carina, NY Lucia, and NY Nehem are named for three grandchildren.
- NY Arlene honors an aunt he grew up close to.
- NY Papa is named for both his father and his son.
Papa is a special name in Bill’s family. It is what his father was called by his grandchildren, and it is now what his son Jim is called by his own children. It feels fitting that such a meaningful flower carries that name forward.
Award Winning Beauty
This standout creation, NY Papa (shown above), was judged Most Perfect Novelty Disc Center Dahlia at the 2025 National Dahlia Show in Chicago. This remarkable achievement reflects the care, skill, and love Bill pours into every seedling.
Why We Are Honored to Partner With Bill
At Triple Wren, we consider it a privilege to help hybridizers like Bill bring their dahlias into the wider world. Through our Legacy Program, we grow out their varieties on a large scale and make them available to gardeners across the U.S. and Canada. A portion of every Legacy dahlia purchased goes directly back to its hybridizer each year.
This work allows hybridizers to keep creating with fewer production pressures and more room for imagination, experimentation, and beauty.
We are so grateful to welcome Bill Doolittle into our Legacy family, and we cannot wait for you to grow the dahlias that carry his family’s stories forward.
