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A Dahlia Passion-ary
Written By: Debby Hall | Issue: September 2024
This is the glorious season of Dahlia blossoms. Debby gives us the scoop on these Plateau charmers.
Single-Flowered
As I write this, I’m on a plane traveling to my eventual destination, Mystic Seaport.
I can’t wait to learn more about the historical village, but I must admit I’m hopeful I will get the chance to see a garden or two while I’m there. I’ll be on the lookout for Dahlias since those are on my mind. I, like most here on The Plateau, adore these sweet flowers!
My first experience with Dahlias was about 15 years ago when I saw a bag of tubers for sale and thought I would give it a try.
Ball
I was hooked! What I have since learned is what I experienced was an accidental success. I plunked them in the ground and pretty much left them for Mother Nature to care for, and I had a bumper crop of flowers by August.
Fast forward to October when a friend was visiting and we learned the first frost was due to strike. We grabbed the pruners and went out in the dark to harvest the beauties and have fondly called it our Moonlight Dahlia Fest ever since.
Since those days I have tried growing Dahlias in Atlanta with no success. I bought plants this year for my new home here, moved them around only to find I do not have enough sun. I am, however, not giving up! But that’s another story.
Pompom
So here is what I do know, dahlias are beautiful, versatile flowers that come in all shapes, sizes and colors that are perennials in warmer climates but need to be dug up and replanted in our area. Unless we are lucky and have a warmer winter. My gardener friends don’t take a chance on that so they clean and store them in a cool, dry place after the first frost.
Their heights, colors, and blooms are as varied as the types of flowers they share with us. I think this is a big part of their charm. I’ve learned there are six types:
• Single-Flowered: A simple flower head with a central disk and single row of petals.
• Anemone-flowered: Features a central disk surrounded by a row of narrow petals.
• Ball: Rounded flowers with densely packed petals.
• Cactus: Petals are long, narrow, and pointed, resembling cactus spines.
• Decorative: Large flowers with fully rounded petals.
• Pompom: Small, spherical flowers with tightly packed petals.
Cactus
If you share my love and appreciation, please be on the lookout for The Dahlia Festival early this month. You will see many beautiful varieties and if you are lucky you may run into one of the local Dahlia experts who are always happy to share tips and stories of their rich experiences growing what I like to call, The Flower of the Plateau!
Happy Gardening!
