The dahlias are still running the show when it comes to my Monday floral arrangements. It's not a matter of what's available but what to choose. While I remain hopeful that my dahlias and zinnias will be around for another six weeks or more, mildew is already a problem and the foliage of a couple of dahlias are clearly infected by dahlia mosaic virus (DMV). As a result, my cutting garden may shrink sooner than I'd expected.
Dahlia 'Miss Brandy' made her debut just over a week ago. I've already concluded that she's a winner and I currently plan to save the tuber when it comes time to clear out my cutting garden to ready it for cool season plants.
 |
| I kept the mix of plants in this vase simple so as not to compete with 'Miss Brandy' |
 |
| Back view: Another white gladiola popped up in one of the raised planters so I added it here to make use of it before its flowers were finished |
 |
| Overhead view |
 |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Dahlia 'Miss Brandy', noID Gladiolus, and Zinnia elegans 'Queeny Red Lime' |
The second arrangement stars two of my favorite dahlias, 'Summer's End' and 'Labyrinth'. Regrettably, 'Labyrinth' is suffering from a severe case of DMV. I cut the last of the presentable blooms it still had before cutting down all its branches and depositing them in a green bin for pickup. When I get around to pulling up 'Labyrinth's' tuber from the barrel it occupies, it'll also go in the green bin as online sources don't recommend saving or dividing the tuber, or taking cuttings from the plant.
 |
| 'Summer's End' has a waterlily-like form but it blends well with 'Labyrinth', which is a dinnerplate type |
 |
| Back view |
 |
| Overhead view |
 |
| From the upper left: Dahlia 'Labyrinth', D. 'Summer's End', Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder', Rumohra adiantiformis (aka leatherleaf fern), Zinnia elegans 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose', and Z. e. 'Queeny Lemon Peach' |
I also cut three stems of Dahlia 'Lady Darlene' late last week after one large branch did a nose dive in the face of high winds. To avoid any more immediate crashes, I cut two other top-heavy stems before adding more support for the plant's branches. As the flowers I'd cut last Sunday were looking sad by Saturday, I popped the new stems in a vase with leftovers from last week's vase.
 |
| The Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Coleus scutellarioides 'Florida Sun Rose', and Zinnia 'Queeny Red Lime' used last week had a longer vase life than the original 'Lady Darlene' Dahlia stems |
After several days of cooler temperatures, we're expecting another warming trend by the middle of this week. Whether our temperatures reach 90F (32C) or higher again will depend upon whether or not the morning marine layer maintains a daily presence.
For more IAVOM creations, check in with our merry band's leader, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Both arrangements are a glorious mix of beautiful colours. You just can't beat dahlias for their array of colours and shades. Too bad about the mosaic virus. Will it linger in the soil? I have gorgeous peonies that I will have to destroy due to a mosaic virus. Breaks my heart but don't want it to spread to the many others I have.
ReplyDeleteAt first glance, dahlia 'Miss Brandy' and 'Lady Darlene' looked very similar. In fact, I had to check last's Monday's post. I'm glad I don't have to pick a favorite between those two!
ReplyDeleteWhen you did your Dahlia exposé last week, I also thought 'Summer's End' resembles a waterlily: so beautiful.
Will you have to buy all new 'Labyrinth' tubers?
(I may love that last vase best... )
Chavli
Gorgeous combination of colors. Miss Brandy I haven't seen before, and is definitely worthy of some space in the garden. Labyrinth as well, are you ordering new tubers?
ReplyDelete