I checked out the local dahlia grower’s fields yesterday, but it’s still very early for much of a show. In local gardens around town, dahlias left in the ground have been up and blooming for a couple months. The grower doesn’t risk leaving the tubers in the ground over winter, so late August/September is when his fields start showing more than a smattering of blooms. But some varieties were well advanced in growth and bloom over others.
The qualities I look for in a dahlia are rarely mentioned in catalogues. Size, color and shape of flower are included in print descriptions but not the overall habit of growth. Walking the fields really clarifies what makes a good garden dahlia from one grown for a vase.
My feet and sandals were covered in raw sienna-colored dirt by the time I walked the extent of the fields without another soul in sight. Just me and the dahlias.
This morning the downpipes were gurgling from a heavy mist almost veering into a light rain. Probably nothing measurable though. A morning like this is why the boardwalk is much appreciated.
Have a great Sunday. AGO
Growers fields are an excellent way to evaluate the overall style of plants. Plus it’s just fun to see so many examples!
I love your boardwalk, both for functional and aesthetic reasons. It adds a great ground field for highlighting your plants in place.
How fun to walk through a grower’s fields to assess dahlia prospects! The photos published online can be so deceiving (not to speak of the problem receiving shipments of the wrong tubers, which can’t be detected until well over a month after the tubers are planted). Your garden is looking great in late August too!
Love the dark stems of ‘Phyllis Farmer’. As Jane said the boardwalk is the perfect foil to the plants and blooms. I must admit I keep expecting to see a container of some sort sitting on it…
Oh my those bold stems on ‘Phyllis’, that’s a winner! I’m headed out now thinking I should dump some dahlias – just for the reason you stated. The growth habit is just not what I want. Your garden looks SO dang fresh with the mist.
Interesting advice on what other things to look for in a dahlia. I always just go by the bloom but you’re right about other things to consider. Personally I’m just thrilled if the darn things bloom before frost hits them. Your side garden with the boardwalk is stunning.