I'm positive they have. To the best of my knowledge they were
originally purchased in the 1948-50 era and she's religiously dug them
up each fall, placed them in a paper bag in a warm area to dry and
winter. They've roduce loads of babies each year, thus her giving them
away. She's been given some by neighbors on occasion but has given hers
out more often over the years. I can't recall her ever buying any in my
younger years. I know one time my dad bought a trailer load of chicken
manure for our then ½ acre veggie garden and he dumped a shovel full on
each dahlia in one area. Burned those suckers bigtime and mom ranted
for ages afterwards. Dad never touched her flowers after thatG.

One of them she sent is supposed to have a very large yellow head and if
its from the one I saw in the yard in 2000 its at least 12" wide. The
plant was maybe 8' tall and about 3" thick at the base. A real monster.
Another is deep burgandy/purple with white stripes.

My big concern is that they won't like the soil we have here. Not sure
if they'll like our heat.

David Hill wrote:
Could be interesting if these varieties have been with her that long.