It's another dahlia on my rusty old grey table this Monday. This is dahlia 'Purple Flame' which is more of a deep rich pink to my eyes. This is the first time I've grown this variety and I have fallen in love with it. Unfortunately I was sent a rather puny specimen so have not had enough of the striking flowers. I hope that it successfully overwinters and bulks up next year but I will also purchase another. It's been a funny old year here for dahlias amongst other things. Not one of the dahlias planted in the garden came through and the one that I planted hasn't flourished at all. Dahlias in pots have done better but the flowers have still struggled and are perhaps not as abundant as usual in their flowering. Mind you it's been a funny old year for a lot of things. Today I was actually delighted to see a dull and cloudy sky when I opened the blinds and we've not seen the sun all day. Hopefully this extremely long hot and dry summer is on the way out. My thoughts are now turning to spring.
Thanks to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for her excellent hosting skills. Thanks also to those of you who expressed concern in your comments to my last post. Fortunately we escaped with no serious damage from Storm Floris. As for the on the blink internet connection it was eventually sorted by a BT Openreach engineer. We now have an amazingly much faster connection but found that after his visit that our phone landline isn't working. Not a major issue but one that needs following up very soon.
I may prick out some lunaria and hersperis seeds later but maybe not as there are lot of biting creatures about at the moment. I watched two bats flit about very close to the house last night so maybe there will be fewer creatures about today. I've been leaving this task until the weather cooled down a bit. I also need to get some thoughts together as to what bulbs to order for spring flowering. As usual I've left it until late. Have you ordered your spring bulbs yet? Please tell me that I'm not alone.
That is indeed a pretty dahlia, Anna. Dahlias are one flower you have to see in the flesh to know if you like them, or that's what I feel, anyway. Two of my new varieties are acceptable, but I am still trying to find a purple variety that suits...sigh. It wasn't a cold winter, so was it winter wet that saw off your garden-planted ones? When did you sow your honesty? I have just bought Lunaria rediviva seeds from Chiltern Seeds but they suggest Jan-April for indoor sowing (April-Oct outside), so I haven't sown any but if you have had success I would certainly rather get them sown now
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what saw off my garden planted dahlias Cathy. It could be down to wet and to the fact that I didn't mulch them as thickly as usual before the winter or it could be down to old age. I sowed most of my lunaria in mid- June but some towards the end of July although the latter are still quite small plants. Lunaria rediviva is perennial though which will make a difference to the optimum sowing time. I have grown it from seed but it was back in 2017 and I can't remember when I sowed it 😥
DeleteThat's a gorgeous dahlia, Anna, and I like how you've displayed it. Dahlias can be picky about weather conditions, water and fertilizer. Mine seemed slow to grow this year until I resorted to regular doses of a "super bloomer" fertilizer, although some still seem slow about developing buds.
ReplyDeleteI haven't even thought about ordering spring bulbs (or the winter blooming Hippeastrums) yet but thanks for the reminder! I have a catalog set aside promising $50 off if I order $200 in bulbs before the end of August. I'm not sure I "need" that many new bulbs but I should at least make a list to check, shouldn't I? ;)
Thanks for your comment Kris. I think that the dahlias whether in the ground or in pots have all suffered from stress due to the weather over the last few months. I'm glad to hear that your dahlias are responding to your tlc and yes of course you must make that list 🤣 - Anna
DeleteOh, that's so beautiful, and it's all that's needed in the ceramic leaf vessel: Perfect. I absolutely love Dahlias, but I simply don't have enough sun for but a few. I plant a few every few years. I dig up the tubers (my winter climate is too cold to keep them in the ground), and sometimes they resurrect when replanted the next spring. They're such beautiful flowers, and the one you've shared here is stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and kind words Beth. Digging them up here is safer but they will get through some winters here - Anna
DeleteAnna, your dahlia is stunning and earns its place of honor. My dahlias did poorly this year but then I haven't given them a bit of attention or care so it's understandable. Biting mosquitoes have certainly ruined even the briefest chances to be in the garden this summer. You're not alone in having waited to place orders for next year. Best of luck making those decisions.
ReplyDeleteOh those mosquitoes must be most unwelcome visitors Susie. I hope that it's a one off summer for them 🤞
DeleteSuch a pretty Dahlia Anna, and I do like the leaf dish as a vase. My dahlias are very late but have not been ravished by the slimy beasts or earwigs this year at least! I have in fact ordered a few spring bulbs, but an autumn order will also be made. Summer has been so hot and busy that I haven't been able to think ahead much and I am looking forward to a nice long autumn with plenty of gentle rain!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy - the leaf dish was just the right size to float a single dahlia 😂 Good to hear that the marauding creatures have stayed well clear of your dahlias this year. I'm looking forward to a similar autumn! - Anna
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and comment 😀 - Anna
DeletePlease read my post
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