American Dahlia Society (ADS) classification

 
Flower Size
AA Giant over 10 inches
A Large over 8 to 10 inches
B Medium over 6 to 8 inches
BB Small over 4 to 6 inches
M Miniature up to 4 inches
BA Ball over 3.5 inches
MB Miniature Ball up to 4 inches
P Pompon up to 2 inches
MS Mignon Single up to 2 inches
S Single up to 2 inches
 

NB: In the catalogue, the variety numbers are coming from the Quebec Dahlia Society.

 
Flower Form
AN Anemone-flowered
BA Ball
C Straight Cactus
CO Collarette
FD Formal Decorative
IC Incurved Cactus
ID Informal Decorative
LC Laciniated
MB Miniature Ball
MS Mignon Single
N Novelty
NO Novelty Open
NX Novelty Fully Double
O Orchid-flowering
P Pompon
PE Peony-flowering
S Single
SC Semi-Cactus
ST Stellar
WL Water Lily
 
Flower Color
BI Bicolor
BR Bronze
DB Dark Blend
DP Dark Pink
DR Dark Red
FL Flame Blend
L Lavender
LB Light Blend
OR Orange
PK Pink
PR Purple
R Red
V Variegated
W White
Y Yellow