I drive through Amish country on my way to work every day, and in several gardens i'd been struck by what i at first thought was a luxurious carpet-type rose, wondering just how much poison one would have to use to make fall roses look so nice, but later realized was in fact, dahlias.

THey stand maybe 12-18" tall, with a very loose habit but nice lush foliaged shape, and blooms the color and size of a classic, dozen-red-roses, deep red. Like I said, from a distance, it looked like a carpet rose, but much healthier for this time of year. They're absolutely gorgeous, and i can visualize so many things it would look good with, if i only knew what kind it was...

I would go up and knock on the door and ask, if i didn't already know they'd have no clue of the variety name, having got the start from someone else who didn't know the name, etc.

Any ideas what i might be looking for??

THanks so much for any suggestions!