My garden is mostly a low water garden with many native and drought tolerant plants. I'm also not a particular friend of dahlias. Dahlias need water and can be quite finicky. Not seldom their leaves attract powdery mildew, and often their tubular roots need to be uprooted for the winter (fortunately not in our climate).
So why is the image of a dahlia my chosen photo for the month of July?
Because there are dahlias that are so beautiful that I just can't resist them. These are dahlias with dark red or even black leaves with simple blooms consisting of eight petals and a dark center. They are hybrids with names that all start with "mystic". They are true eye candy and if they are not set in the full sun their water needs are only moderate. Their flowers are spectacular and beautiful bright color spots in the garden.
What is not to love?
I certainly love these dahlias, that don't demand all the attention. They have been coming back faithfully after the winter and delighted me with their happy colors. While they are not part of the pollinator garden, they play their beautiful role in the shadier parts of the garden that need some brilliant color.
A stunning burst of colour. Not hard to see why you like it in your garden so much.
ReplyDeleteThis dahlia is such a beauty. We planted a few this year. Their variety and colors are stunning. When we lived in Massachusetts, these were annuals so we never had them in our yard. Now we live where they are perennials so we are really enjoying the blooms.
ReplyDeleteIt is a true beauty. My garden doesn't have a lot of dahlias either, for precisely the reasons you mentioned. Or a lot of annuals (ditto). Which never stops me enjoying them and marvelling at them.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks.
I like seeing Dahlias, but I’m not able to grow them here at altitude. Once, I planted them in a container when we had the Denver house and enjoyed their lush colors. Yours is gorgeous and having it return each summer is a plus!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness! that's one of the prettiest flowers I've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteThey are such beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteDahlias have only become fashionable in the last few years again, before that they were rather old fashioned. I have loved them forever and still grow quite a few of them. They are amongst the work horses of the garden, easy to grow, easy to propagate, easy on the eye.
ReplyDeleteThe Dahlia's I've seen are very different than this, but this one sure is beautiful. It's such a pretty color for Summer. Enjoy your garden while you can, as Summer is coming to an end. I would love to see pumpkins in your garden in the Fall. ; ) Wouldn't that be something?
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Ah Mystic Dahlias, joy from a humble flower.
ReplyDeleteI agree! i have no desire to grow dahlias but I'm thrilled my next door neighbor does. This one is a beauty!
ReplyDeletethe colors of your dahlia are stunning!
ReplyDeleteTruly, truly stunning!!! Wow! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful dahlia.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan