One of a Kind: Tanner and Caitlyn Conway have grown a new variation of Dahlia

Sep. 17—By Rachel Campbell

A new color variation of Dahlia has reached 16 for the number of colors, as Tanner and Caitlyn Conway have unintentionally grown a new purple variegated variety of the flower.

The Conway's Dahlia variation, named Bud's Bloom after Tanner's grandfather Norris "Bud" Sigurdson, has recently been recognized and accepted by the Royal Horticultural Society, earning the couple a certificate for the new flower.

With its unique and captivating purple hue, this new variety stands out among the other 15 colors, a testament to the Conways' remarkable achievement but accidental achievement.

Coming up with the name Buds Bloom also had an emotional connection, as Tanner grew up in his grandfather's garden. Like most kids, he loved spending time with his grandpa while his grandmother, Beaulah Sigurdson, who had been married to Bud for 75 years, sat on a white swinging bench, watching them bond over the vegetables and flowers they grew together.

"Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandpa. I would garden a lot," Tanner said, tearing up while speaking of his grandfather. "He was known as a good gardener — flowers and vegetables. I always remember mixing up fertilizer."

Tanner walked around the garden, showing all the different styles of Dahlias the couple grows, indicating just how rare this new flower is.

"Caitlyn and I did a lot of research, and we found no purple Dahlia like this," Tanner said.

When the Conway's registered the new variety with the Royal Horticultural Society, he filled out a detailed form about the flower's characteristics and history and waited for a response. He said he jumped up excitedly when they finally responded, classifying the flower as 67A Purple. The Conways were super proud of yet another accomplishment, even if by accident.

Gardening is one of the things both Tanner and Caitlyn do in their spare time. Tanner works at The Hormel Institute, while Caitlyn is a nurse. Despite having busy work lives, they tend to their garden with all their hearts.

"For me, gardening is more than a hobby," Tanner said. "Gardening is a way of life. I grew up fully surrounded by gardening with my grandparents."

Almost three years ago, Tanner was recognized as having grown the second-largest pumpkin in Minnesota. However, he said he wanted to step back from pumpkins and do something different. He and his wife then discussed flowers.

Dahlias grow beautifully in their garden, along with other types of flowers. However, this wasn't easy for the Conway's. With the rain and flooding this year, they replanted their garden twice.

The Conways started with 11 tubers of Dahlias and from those seeds have grown 80 plants spanning 55 varieties. Tanner then explained that the flowers keep growing and growing.

"Plants are like people. You gotta feed them," he said. "Fertilize, water them, and then maintain."

After the flowers bloomed, Caitlyn approached Tanner, saying: "Hey, I didn't know we had a purple Dahlia."

Tanner then said he was confused: "I didn't plant one, and as far as I know, they don't exist."

Both Tanner and Caitlyn were curious about the Dahlia and started researching. Tanner went to a professor, whom he had become very close to during college, and asked him to look at the flower.

Dr. David Zlesak looked at the flower and did his research, then told Tanner, "Maybe you did discover a new cultivar."

That was the beginning of a journey leading to the Conway's discovery of the new variety.

Soon, the Conways brought their flower to the Mower County Fair, entered it into a competition, and won a Grand Champion ribbon for the flower.

"Both Caitlyn and I were tearing up and felt so proud," Tanner said and then reflected on his grandfather, "If I knew he was still here, it'd be something he'd be proud of."

He then said that when he thought of the Dahlia, he wondered if it was something his grandfather sprouted upon them from above. After this discovery, the Conways hope to expand their Dahlia garden and experiment with more flowers in the future.

Tanner and Caitlyn said they can't keep all the healthy flowers to themselves, so they cut and prep flowers weekly, and bring them to Rochester Farmers Market every Saturday. The is located at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds and is open from 7:30 a.m. to noon

They not only sell flowers at the market, but they also deliver them. You can contact Tanner and Caitlyn on Facebook called "Doodle's Flower Farm" or talk to them at the market.