Dahlias

The Dahlias in my cutting patch are really coming out in full colour now. I have a great mix of vibrant colours but next year I plan more whites and pastel shades as late summer/ early autumn is a very popular time for weddings. I also plan to grow some smaller pom pom varieties.
Last week we took a last minute holiday which was a wonderful rest after such a busy year of planting, growing, cutting, arranging but I did return to evidence of some stormy weather on the plot. I did some dead heading and a lot of staking this morning!
Talking about varieties I have Chat Noir, Karma Naomi, Chocolate and Fiesta, Peaches, David Howard, Haloween, Sam Hopkins, White Swan, Cafe au Lait, Wittiman's Red, Blue Boy, Ambition, Gerrie Hoek...
They do require some attention by way of watering, feeding and staking but repay in buckets of flowers. I find they are very versatile for arrangements and bouquets. The newer varieties also last longer in the vase which is very helpful and cope in floral foam for wedding arrangements and church flowers. Single varieties don't in general last as well in my experience, so doubles are best especially cactus, pom pom and waterlily types or anything starting with the name Karma!!
This week my flowers are going to the big florist's conference in Oxford and Dahlias will certainly be featuring, I hope to have pictures to show you at the weekend of some of the displays there....WATCH THIS SPACE!!