These two beautiful hybrids – one from Kristine Albrecht of Santa Cruz Dahlias and one hybridized by Paul Bloomquist right here in Whatcom County, Washington – are similar, but they have some distinct differences.

KA’s Peppercorn is a larger dahlia than Bloomquist Firecracker, but both have a fantastic red-and-white color palette. BLQ Firecracker is a novelty form, and with the addition of its golden-orange highlights, truly resembles its namesake! Peppercorn is a laciniated dahlia, but despite their different categories, both these dahlias can have a bit of a bed-head look which only adds to their charm. Both dahlias are similarly productive and vigorous, with similar heights, continually giving long, strong stems when pinched early and harvested regularly. (Remember with dahlias, the more you cut, the more they bloom!)

What other differences/similarities do you see in these two, and which would you most love to grow? ????