The Gift of Dahlias!

As I mentioned before I did order some Dahlias for friends and family for Christmas this year totalling 9 tubers. The first 3 that I will introduce were given to my mother. She loves purples, pinks and dark reds, so it was easy for me to choose since I enjoy the same colors. I did not want to go crazy with large blooms for her since she has never grown dahlias before. It should be exciting to experience this journey together.


The first to catch my eye was the Hugs N Kisses

My mom LOVES purple so I knew immediately that she would enjoy this one. It produces 3 inch blooms on a 3 foot bush. It's compact enough for her to put in a tight spot but still be able to cut. The lavender petals are backed by a deep purple underside. I would even consider growing this one later on down the road.



Up Next "Voo Doo"

 

 

Part of the "Black" Dahlia family, it is sure to be one of my mom's favorites! The 4 1/2 foot bush produces 5 inch blooms. And it makes a great cutting flower! I am probably going to have to talk my mom into letting me have a tuber from this plant next year!

 

 

 

Lastly - Jason Matthew

 

 

 

PURPLE!!! This Dahlia is a 2010 model. It grows 3 inch blooms on a dark green 4 foot plant. It's a super cut flower in a ball shape. Another that I would not mind growing myself!

 

 

 

Next up my mother in law's happy 3! 



9 through 12

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

While I have ordered several dahlias I am still currently trying to figure out where to put them all. Most of the areas in my yard are landscaped so I will have to have my wonderful husband build me some type of flower box or boxes to plant next year. Once we decide on something I will post photos of the process and finished product!

Moving on to more of the Dahlias that I have ordered for 2013.



This one is called "Lights Out"

It is a 2009 model. One of the "black" dahlia family members, although it is not black in color it is more of a velvety red. Will go well with my "Bride to be" and "Ali Oop" dahlias that were in my 2013 growing order. It produces 3 1/2 inch blooms on a 3 1/2 foot bush. It grows similar to a "hedge" supposedly but makes a good cutting flower. I have seen several different variations of color with this one from a deeper red to a more vibrant red. I am sure it depends on the lighting of the photo. It should be an interesting one to grow.



Next is the Brittany Rey

This one is definitely a WOW for me! Hopefully it is as stunning in person as it is in this photo. Growing 5 inch blooms on a 4 1/2 inch bush, its an eye catcher! The Raspberry and yellow blooms are super vibrant, and make a great cutting flower. Another that I will probably grow every year.



#11  The Miss Molly - One of my FREE gifts in my order

This one was immediately put on my order list, although when I noticed I could get it as a free gift I took it off! SCORE!  Another in the "Pink" family, it is more of a soft pink with yellow at the base of the petals. The Miss Molly grows LOTS of 3 inch blooms on a 4 foot bush with quite a bit of greenery but still has sturdy stems for cutting. 



Onward!   Chilson's Pride

 

 

 

Another one of my free gifts, I initially saw this one and skipped on past. I like the more simple shaped petals but when I noticed it on the gift list I figured it was worth a try, with its good reviews and exhibition quality. The Chilson's Pride grows 4 inch blooms on a 5 foot bush. I will most likely have to stake this one. It is pure pink with a white center. Should be interesting to see how I like it once it starts blooming. Also it's an early bloomer so it will be great to cut in the early summer.

 

 

 

 

That is all of the Dahlias that I ordered for myself. Next I will be showing some of the dahlias I ordered as gifts. There are a total of 9! Feel free to leave me comments! I would love some feedback as well as tips on growing. Like I said, I am a novice at this so any information will help! 

Merry Christmas!

I have to start off by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Last time I introduced 3 of the 11 Dahlia's that I purchased from Swan Island Dahlias. I am going to post a couple more BUT first...... My mother and also my Mother-in-law received 3 tubers each for Christmas this year! They both enjoy gardening so I figured we could all have this experience together. I am probably more excited than they are. So add 6 more introductions to the mix. But more on that later!


Continuing with my order for 2013.......



Here is the Fatima Dahlia

PINK! Bright Pink! Small with 2 1/2 inch blooms it still packs a punch with its hot pink color. It is recommended as a cut flower. I love pink so I am sure it will be one I grow year after year!



Another is the Matchmaker

This one I saw and HAD TO HAVE it! Introduced in 1986, the plant grows to 4 feet and produces 4 inch blooms, white in color with fuchsia tips! eeek! =)



The Nancilee Dahlia is next on my list

 

 

One of the more expensive tubers that I purchased as it was only introduced in 2007. The blooms are 5 inches in size growing on a 3 foot bush. Brilliant Fuchsia color with white in the center. Pretty!!!

 

 

 

 

The Cherish Dahlia - The only yellow I ordered

 



Soft yellow with kind of a "rosey" colored tip in a ball dahlia shape. I was not in love with this one at first but I kept going back to it. Not a huge fan of yellow flowers but I thought that this one deserves a try =)   It grows 3 inch blooms on a compact 3 foot bush. It is an awesome cutting flower and will supposedly go with almost anything!


4 more down! 4 to go!

I did it.........

Yes, That's right I FINALLY ordered my dahlias for the 2013 growing season. After hours of deliberations, I settled on 11 different styles.     11 ....... Oye!        This will be my first year of serious growing. I was able to mother 2 different dahlias last year and I absolutely love to cut and vase them once they bloom, so I thought the more the merrier....

I ended up ordering from Swan Island Dahlias. They seemed to have the biggest selection for the most reasonable prices. I even got two FREE tubers with my order. Yay! I was drawn to mostly pinks and purples, I did however, order a very pretty red and also a white. I am by no means a "professional grower" I only do this for fun because I enjoy it. Also, I have no idea what I am doing so this will definitely be a learning process! I am going to start off with showing some stock photos of the Dahlias I ordered. Since my tubers will not ship until the spring (oh em gee, I have to wait 4 more months!?!?).

First... The Ali Oop

 

This dahlia was introduced in 1995. It is "candy apple red" in color and the blooms are 4 inches in diameter. It grows up to 4 feet high. Makes a great cut flower. I am super excited about this one!

 

 

Next.... Bliss

 

It looks just how it sounds! I am in LOVE with this Dahlia. Introduced in 1989, It is a rosey/mauve color with light yellow towards the center in a "water lily" shape. Grows 4 inch blooms on a 4 1/2 foot bush. Another great cut flower. Hopefully this one doesn't disappoint!

 

 

 

And last for this post....  Bride To Be

 

 

Simple and elegant. A crisp white dahlia introduced in 2004, It is a waterlily shaped bloom growing to 4 inches on a compact 3 foot bush. Great for cutting and also exhibition. This one may end up being one of my favorites!

 

The countdown will continue! 8 more to go! Merry Christmas!