3 Oldoc Combustion

This orchid-type dahlia stands 5 to 7 feet tall, and the 2- to 3-inch star-shaped blooms are a favorite of monarch butterflies. Its name comes from the fiery effect of the flowers and the fact that the hybridizer (the person who bred the plant) is a practicing veterinarian with a few years under his belt.

Why we love it: The curl and colors of the flower, yellow in the front and red in the back, lend it a flamelike appearance.