Dazzling Dahlias

 

Most people are familiar with roses being an esteemed flower; there are formal rose displays and competitions. However, dahlias are also a beautiful and revered flower. There are hundreds of commercial dahlia growers throughout the United States.  There are also shows and displays of the blossoms in almost every county. The American Dahlia Society was founded in 1915. Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers.  I especially like them in bouquets because their blooms are long lasting.

Dahlias are Mexico’s national flower. Hundreds of years ago, the single flower type of dahlia grew wild on mountain sides of Mexico. Today, there is an incredible variety of colors, shapes and sizes of dahlia flowers due to the creation of many different cultivars or varieties by plant breeders. The dahlia flower can take on many different forms. This is because dahlias have a larger gene pool than most flowers. For example, some dahlia flowers are the size of a button while others are as large as a dinner plate.  Also, there are fourteen different classifications of dahlia petal shape characteristics.

Dwarf dahlias can be started from seed or purchased as starter plants. Larger types are often grown from tubers. Tubers differ from bulbs in that they have eyes; the “eye” on the tuber is actually a bud from where a new plant will grow. A potato is also a tuber.

Dahlias grow best in full sun. They like sandy soil for good drainage, as sitting in too much water can cause the tuber to rot. The soil should be at least 60 degrees.  A ‘rule of thumb’ for when to plant a dahlia tuber is to plant it the same time as tomato plants, or in our area, anytime after Mother’s Day.

To plant the tuber, dig a hole about eight inches deep and eight inches wide. Fill this planting hole with about four inches of native soil mixed with a handful of compost. At this time, sprinkle in some bone meal. Place the tuber horizontally and then cover it with about three inches of soil. Fill in with soil around the tuber as it grows. Insert a stake at planting time.  As the plant grows, you will tie the stem to the stake for support.  The tuber will sprout in about two to three weeks.

During my first year growing dahlias, I was excited to see the tuber sprouts appear above the soil only to find the next day most of the tender, new shoots were all but gone! Slugs and snails love to devour this young foliage. Now, I set out snail and slug bait at planting time. When the plant reaches a foot tall, this is less of a problem. Later, it is a good idea to remove the lowest leaf sets to reduce further insect damage.

Commercial dahlia growers will pinch off the center stem after the plant has grown about 18 inches tall; pinching off causes the plant to grow bushier with more side shoots, flowers, and stronger stems. Dahlias need lots of water. They may also benefit from a monthly application of fertilizer that is high in potash such as 5-10-10. However, a soil test will tell you if potassium (potash) is deficient in your soil.

Dahlias grow very fast.  In fact, the warmer the temperature, the faster they will grow. By July, you should have blossoms to cut for your indoor vases. Deadheading or cutting off the faded blooms will encourage more flowers. This will keep your dahlia producing flowers up until the first frost.

Dahlia tubers do not survive our cold winters. Digging up the tubers for winter storage is necessary. Plant the tubers again after the soil warms for another summer of blooms.

Dahlias are a flower adored by many because they are easy to grow, and they also provide a finale of color at the end of each growing season.

 

Blooming Zinnias

I started zinnia seeds indoors in the month of April. Their blooms are now bursting with color. I especially love the variety of hues reminding me of Spanish pottery. The deep reds, oranges, light and dark purples and white create a festive combination.  Being surrounded by the beauty of color is one of the main reasons I love flowers. Zinnias in bloom provide this experience wonderfully!

 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

My garden is a constant work in progress. I have no plan other than to buy a flower, plant the flower and sometimes move the flower to a better location. Each year is different, in fact, my garden, as all gardens, changes weekly. The flowers are always changing. Throughout the growing season, there are early blooming flowers, mid-season flowers and late season flowers.  

Here are my two favorite roses currently blooming. The yellow rose is a hybrid and named, Henry Fonda. The blossoms have been numerous and constant. The red rose is a floribunda and named, Oh My. I planted this rose bush just this spring; already there are several deep, red blooms.

My tickseed perennial is doing well. At the beginning of the season, it was infested with brown and white striped beetles that were happily munching the plant to the ground. I sprayed it with insecticide about a month ago, and now it is doing very well. The color combination of the deep yellow flowers next to the deep red rose is gorgeous.

I have three pots that I planted with pink petunia waves. They are now growing profusely. Eventually the blooms will spill over the pots.  Wave petunias are very dependable. They take the full sun and heat well.

I planted my dahlia plants a bit late this year, but they are doing well and are growing at least an inch or more a day. They get morning and early afternoon sun but are in the shade during the most intense heat of the day. I can’t wait for their blooms later in the summer.

 

Tell me about your favorite flowers currently blooming in your garden.

 

Lovely Lavender

 

 

The Blue Mountain Lavender Farm sits in the Walla Walla Valley. Beautiful rows of lavender grow on hilly fields. Lavender blooms are just emerging from the plants. It is the time of year when early varieties are budding out.

I spent a recent morning wandering the lavender farm grounds. Besides rows of many different lavender cultivars, you can purchase lavender starter plants. Also, there are classes on making a lavender wand.

The cutting station provides you with a colorful bucket, clippers, plastic ties, and your choice of ribbon color for the final touch to your self-cut bouquet.

There are also free samples of lavender lemonade and a gift shop that hits you with the familiar fragrance as soon as you enter.

Lavender is a herb native to the Mediterranean. There are two types of Lavender; English and French. English lavender is considered hardier than the French lavender since they can thrive in colder regions. These two types have different flower and stem characteristics as well.

All lavenders need at least six hours of sun and well-draining soil. They are easy to grow since established plants can grow in hot, dry conditions. Also, they do not require an abundance of amendments to the soil.  Lavenders do best when pruned back at the end of the growing season or early spring. Lavender growers recommend pruning back to about 2” of the green portion of the plant. Lavender plants have a woody, gray portion above the base. If pruning takes place in this area, the plant may not return to bloom.

Dried lavender flowers fill fragrance sachets of all shapes and sizes. The herb has been used medicinally for centuries. Today, lavender is recommended to help remedy headaches, insomnia, and tension.

The young girl in the picture was cutting lavender with her mother and brother. They told me their trip to this lavender farm was an annual event for their family. The mother said that this event had replaced visiting Santa Claus. How nice for these children to be creating unique childhood memories.  

Have you visited a Lavender Farm?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Facts You May Not Know About Rhododendrons

 

During a recent trip to the west side of the mountains in Washington State, I was treated with many sightings of blooming rhododendrons.  These giant of flowers are very impressive when in full bloom! I live on the east side of the mountains where there are few growing because the conditions are not optimal.

Here are a few little-known facts.

Fibrous Root Ball

Rhododendrons have shallow, fibrous or hair-like roots. They cannot tolerate dry, hot conditions. Because of this, they grow more successfully on the cooler, wetter west side of Washington State where I was visiting. During the first year after planting, they need plenty of water. It takes longer for the small root hairs to grow out of the original root ball. Because of the shallow roots, cultivating is not recommended. A thick layer of mulch provides lots of root protection.  

Invasive

Some varieties of Rhododendrons are invasive in certain parts of the world.  An invasive plant is any plant that is, “not native and has negative effects on the economy, the environment, or health. “ This is true for a cultivar of rhododendrons that is commonly found throughout the British Isles and other parts of the world. Rhododendrons thrive in mild, moist climates with slightly acidic soils. In these areas, rhododendron plants have been found to destroy habitats of other plants and animals because of their aggressive growing habits. 

Fragrance

Most people are unaware that there are a few varieties of rhododendrons that have fragrance. Plant breeders have managed to develop other cultivars that have fragrance too. The flowers of these aromatic blooms tend to be lighter in color; for example, white, light pink or light yellow. The strength of the perfume of any flower is made stronger with warmer temperatures.   

Have you grown rhododendrons successfully in your area?

 

 

 

Planting Time

The shops are bursting with annuals and perennials to sell for planting this time of year. Traditionally, for me, I plant annuals on Mother's Day weekend. I have two reasons for this: one  is that I can get all the flowers I want ( no guilt) and two it is the time to plant in my part of the country (Eastern Washington) when we are free and clear of freezing temperatures for the rest of the growing season.

This picture shows my big pot of pansies planted last fall. The label promised they would survive the winter and, yes, they did. My pansies are blooming among left-over daffodil foliage; a lovely combination!

However, the weather at my house is heating up fast, so these pansies will soon succumb to the heat as they are a cool-weather loving plant. I was originally going to replace the pansies with zinnia seedlings this weekend, but decided to wait another week. They are doing well, I can't bear to pull them out just yet.

Here are my zinnia seedlings I started about six weeks ago waiting to be put in the pots. These pots are facing south, so it gets HOT. Zinnias, a flower native to Mexico, won't mind a bit.

I love the colors of these pansies!

One of the most gorgeous color of pansy I have ever seen!!

What annual flowers are you planting this year?

Happy Day!

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and Welcome!

Flowers are awesome! I especially love the beauty of their colors, intricacies and fragrances. Their aesthetics provide us pure enjoyment and charm.

The above picture shows a group of lupine growing on Chinook Pass near Mt. Rainier. These wildflowers were peaking in the month of August. Their growing season is short because of the high elevation....about 5,000 feet!

This is a fun display of petunias and lobelia in Long Beach, Washington. The flowers in this area enjoy a marine humidity and cooler temperatures that are perfect for most flowers.

What are your favorite flowers?

Thank you for viewing:)

Bonnie