I’m in love with dahlias. It started a few years ago and I grew them in my Worthing garden and now I grow them on my allotment. Last winter, as an experiment, I thought I would leave them in the ground. People do you know! I mulched them carefully as recommended but sadly only a few came through this year. The ones that showed some sign of life I dug up, put them in pots and nurtured them on my patio at home before returning them to the allotment.
1. ‘Pooh Swan Island’
Not only do I love the name of this dahlia, I love the fact it is one that went through the winter. It’s quite tall with lots of blooms. The bees adore it! Sometimes, when searching for this dahlia, you will see the colours in reverse, so it’s mainly yellow with red edging. This seems strange to me but that’s life!
2. ‘Break Out’
This is the first flower just opening for Break Out. It also went through the winter and was one I didn’t dig up earlier this year for A&E care on the patio. It appears to be unfurling quite unevenly but when out in full flower it will be a beautiful cream with a gentle pale pink tinge, very similar to Cafe Au Lait but more creamy.
3. Label Lost dahlia
The biggest problem I found leaving plants in over winter is that either the name on the label is washed off, (so much for permanent markers), or it has gone missing. I have no idea what this dahlia is, perhaps when it is opened fully I might recognize it. However, I think it already looks lovely with the red veining.
4. ‘Diablo’
To fill in the gaps I bought a tray of 6 small ‘Diablo’ dahlias. They are very much a pick and mix surprise. The colours are a good mix of vibrant colours, some are doubles and others are singles with very dark green leaves. So the next few photos are just a selection of the ‘Diablos’.
5. ‘Diablo’
This is a pretty pale pink, single bloom, Diablo which contrast extremely well with the dark green, almost purple leaves.
6. Possibly ‘Diablo’
While I was walking around taking photos of the dahlias, the back of this variety caught my eye. I’m not sure, but suspect it is another Diablo. I always take photos of the front of blooms, often forgetting the back of a flower can be just as interesting. I love the stripes of dark pink on the yellow.
Thank you The Propagator who hosts this weekly meme. Please visit his blog its full of interesting Six on Saturday contributions from lots of people.
