greentapestry : In A Vase On Monday - Allotment Pickings

Monday 8 September 2014

In A Vase On Monday - Allotment Pickings


Not an accidental happening this time round but a conscious decision to bring some allotment colour back home where I can really appreciate it a close hand. Earlier in the year I treated myself to three named dahlia tubers one of them being 'Thomas A. Edison' named after the American inventor I imagine. This variety is described as having 'dinner plate' sized flowers. Whilst they are perhaps not that large (unless you have a minute appetite) the flowers are a good five inches across and they are real show stoppers. They also have long dark stems which enhance the flowers. 


I started the tuber into growth sometime in mid to late April in a pot in the greenhouse. After reaching a certain size and a period of adjusting to the outer world, Thomas was somewhat unceremoniously plonked in to one of the allotment beds at the end of June. Here are a couple of flowers outside the back door enjoying a few last minutes sunshine before coming in on to the kitchen window sill. I would have ideally liked to pick three stems but Thomas did not oblige. Another time I hope.


The vase is a stoneware cider flagon. I did not imbibe the contents but bought the empty flagon from a charity shop many moons ago.

Thanks as always to Cathy who came up with an excellent idea to kick off the week, of not only picking flowers for a vase but of sharing them with fellow bloggers too. You can enjoy more rich weekly pickings over at 'Rambling In The Garden'.

30 comments:

  1. I haven't grown any dahlias this year but I'm missing them so I think they'll be added to the list again ready for next year.

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    1. Oh well you will definitely appreciate them all the more then Jo next year :)

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  2. Lovely colour and a lovely jug too :-)

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  3. What a cute vase and such a beautiful dahlia...a perfect vase!

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  4. Love the colour of these, Anna, whatever their size!

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    1. The colour is glorious Cathy - they would look good even if they were smaller in stature but the size adds to the wow factor.

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  5. Nice dahlia, and love the novel vase Anna!

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    1. Many thanks for your comment Cathy which is much appreciated.

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  6. Lovely. The dahlias have both nice form and color.

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  7. Those flowers look almost florescent in color, which somehow seems appropriate for the inventor of a light bulb. They've got a beautiful shape too.

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    1. Oh yes a most apt electric colour for his namesake dahlia Kris. Thanks for your comment.

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  8. Stunning!! I never embrace pinks or purples in everyday life...except in the garden! Such rich tones, particularly this time of year, helps with the hope for a pleasant autumn! I will have to add this for next year!

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    1. I don't very little pink or purple either in my home or wardrobe too Katie but it certainly sings in the garden :)

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  9. I've never tackled the art of growing dahlias - all that digging up the tubers and doing something knowledgeable with them over winter. I do love the look of them though. Perhaps I need to read up about dahlias and find a spot to grow some, although that might have to wait for a bigger garden! Do they like sun or are they happy in part shade, I wonder?

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    1. They prefer full sun Caro but as for digging them up I think that you might possibly get away with leaving them in the ground if you give them a good mulch before winter sets in. You can also grow them in containers which might be one way of finding room for them.

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  10. Beautiful colour, isn't it funny that everyone seems to be growing Dahlias this year when before they were a bit of a no, no, taste wise.

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    1. Yes they have certainly come back to the fore over recent years Christina. So glad that I've never been a dedicated follower of fashion :)

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  11. What beautiful vibrant colours! (Do the spent dahlia blooms turn into giraffe shapes?!!!! :)

    Moonlit Apples on your previous post is my favourite poem ever! It is so full of wonder, and happy too.

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    1. Now that would indeed be fun if they did morph into giraffe shapes Ingrid. I've only just discovered that poem but I think that it could soon become a favourite of mine too :)

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  12. What a beauty! I'm yearning for Dahlias and will make sure to order some for next year. I'm not so much for dinner plate sized flowers but the colour is stunning and if you starve them a little they might just look right ;)

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    1. Hope that you can enjoy their fabulous colours next summer Annette. I'm not so sure about dinner plate sized flowers either so my plants have gone hungry :)

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  13. A lovely dahlia, what a gorgeous colour.. I think we will all be growing more dahlias next year.

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    1. Yes Chloris - there will definitely be more dahlias about next year :)

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  14. That's one of my favourite dahlias Anna, I love the rich colour and the dark stems. I hope you get to pick 3, if not 5, soon.

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    1. Thanks Janet - might manage 3 but 5 might leave the plant rather forlorn :)

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  15. Gorgeous! That's a fantastic colour and I love the vase. I'm very partial to a charity shop vase. ;)

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    1. Thanks for your comment WW. I've bought some of my favourite vases and ornaments from charity shops over the years.

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.