Dahlia sp. overlooking the Meditation Circle
For a second year Cathy of Words and Herbs is hosting A Week of Flowers, inviting everyone to spread color and cheer by posting our flowery photos the first seven days of December.
Dahlias were disappointing this year. I ordered many new tubers of different kinds, but had the most luck with some that overwintered from last year. I am looking forward to trying again, hoping for rich, lush borders all summer.
Dahlia sp.
Dahlia sp.
Dahlia ‘Tsuku Yori No Shisha’
Dahlia ‘Gallery Art Deco’
For an uplifting color boost this week visit Cathy in Bavaria at Words and Herbs to see florals from around the globe.
pbmGarden 
I always think how gorgeous and perfect your variety of dahlias is Susie, but I can understand why you want more. They are so lovely in flower arrangements and make a big impact in a border. Do you have a favourite?
Thank you Cathy! My taste changes from year to year in dahlias and there are so many kinds it will be possible to keep choosing new ones for a long time. Growing them has been frustrating through, very hit or miss.
Well, good luck for the next growing season. I am sure some will appear in your vases again. 😃
Beautiful. It is interesting that I’ve purchased dahlias, and they haven’t survived. I was gifted two red varieties from a friend’s neighbor, and they produce well each year. In our area, a majorchallenge is getting them started early enough so they don’t bloom as frost hits.
I had some dahlias that sadly didn’t bloom until just before frost this year, mostly my fault for getting them planted late. The nice thing about passalongs from neighbors is they are usually tried and true and reliable.
I love your unnamed mauve one! I’m hoping a few of my dahlias overwinter all right this year – I’ve been less than successful at that in the past!
That’s been a vigorous bloomer. Wish I knew it’s name. Good luck with yours Chris!
I do enjoy your dahilas. I think they are considered annuals here.
I consider them annuals too because I’m not willing to dig and store them. Anything that comes back is a bonus.
I love seeing and photographing Dahlias, but my one attempt in growing them was as disastrous as I had imagined it would be, not only because I have a lot of S&S here, but it was the earwigs that made a complete mess of the flowers.
It’s so frustrating when the pests help themselves! There was some type of bug damaging the white Dahlia ‘Tsuku Yori No Shisha’ early on, but eventually it was gone and the flowers formed intact.
I was just looking at Dahlias in a catalog – yours inspire me to try Dahlias as I love them. So pretty. If I ever suceed, I will buy a compote vase.
Good luck with dahlias Amy. I hope you get that compote vase.
Me. too. Hope I can find some.
Dahlias truly are the queen of the late summer garden. Always beautiful! My favorite of yours this summer was D. ‘Tsuku Yori No Shisha’ – gorgeous!
Thanks Eliza. I like that one too–very sophisticated.
Your dahlias are magnificent, Susie. I tried growing them here in the Bay Area of California and didn’t have any luck. It’s interesting to note your varying success. What do you suppose is the key to healthy plants?
Thank you Alys! I’m such a dahlia novice I really don’t know. We had essentially no rain all summer so I should have watered them better. Chloris once told me to feed them too, which I’m bad about doing. Actually, it’s surprising I get any to grow!
I rarely feed anything either. I like to think that healthy soil, sun and water are enough, though I do start the summer with fertilized tomatoes. They are such spectacular blooms, so I can appreciate why you don’t want to give up on them.
Wow, they’re needy plants. After reading this, I think anyone succeeding deserves a garden medal. When I reached the part about watering “30 minutes at a time, three days a week” I understood my lack of success. We’re semi-arid here in San Jose, with an average of 15 inches of rain a year. Last season we got a measly 5 inches. Good luck! https://www.almanac.com/plant/dahlias
Your dahlias are always spectacular, Susie!
Thanks Kris! And I enjoy all of of yours!