The color is exactly as the photos display, but mine did not curl at all (which is fine, but this photo is misleading). What drew me to this bloom is the unique structure (the curl), so I can't give it high marks for quality. For only one tuber, the price is steep. I have two blooms this year so far (late August) when other dahlias from other purveyors are thriving, full in foliage and abundant in blooms and buds. All were potted at the same time indoors in late March and planted out in mid-June. I hope the tuber puts forth a few more for storing and potting up next year.