It warmed up here late last week, and the dahlias finally started getting into gear, which is not to say that all of my tubers are blooming yet. However, two of the largest "dinner plate" dahlias flowered and demanded notice. They were identified at time of purchase as 'Belle of Barmera', which I've grown before, and 'Omega', which is new to me. The flowers of both are huge, even by my standards.
The 'Belle of Barmera' is notably softer in color than the one I previously grew, which made me believe that the tubers were mislabeled by the seller.
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| The flowers of this 'Belle' are pale pink and yellow in color while online references describe it as a mix of coral, peach, and raspberry-pink. My plants are pretty but I don't think they're 'Belle of Barmera'. (You can see what those flowers should look like here.) |
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| Back view of the vase, showing off the single stem of 'Omega' I included. I couldn't have crammed in a second 'Omega' bloom in that vase if I'd tried. |
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| Overhead view |
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| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana' (aka peppermint willow), Dahlia 'Belle of Barmera' (or its imposter), D. 'Omega', and Grevillea 'Superb' |
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| The arrangement in place in our front entryway |
It's looking likely that I can expect more dahlias in the weeks ahead. I remain hopeful that I may get more lilies too, although that's not certain if it gets too hot too fast. A stem of Lilium 'Zelmira' with just two flowers surprised me last Tuesday but I haven't seen any evidence of its sisters in the wings, nor the two other lily varieties I expected to see this season.
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| Lilium 'Zelmira' |
For more IAVOM posts, visit our gracious host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
All material © 2012-2026 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
I love all these punchy colors! Yes, your Belle is definitely more demure than Barmera. The lily is gorgeous, I'm a sucker for sunset-y colors.
ReplyDeleteI love that lily and hope there are a few more just waiting to pop up from behind the surrounding shrubs ;)
DeleteThe first thing I thought of might be a little strange, but consider the source. I looked at the dahlias and thought, pretty enough to eat. Then I looked it up. They actually are! Both the brightly colored petals and the tubers of dahlias are entirely edible. They were originally cultivated by the Aztecs as a food source.
ReplyDeleteI was actually aware of that, although I've yet to try eating one.
DeleteYou seem to have frequent mislabelling of the dahlias you buy, or am I imagining that? Anyway, you have used these to best advantage with your usual flair and complementary material - thanks for sharing them
ReplyDeleteI DO seem to have a problem in that regard, which I suspect has something to do with one of the sellers I often use :( I think the imposter 'Belle' is probably actually Dahlia 'Break Out', which the seller in question also had for offer this year but hadn't purchased (at least not deliberately).
DeleteLove the painterly colors, Kris. Reminds me of old Dutch paintings. I'm wondering about why companies are no longer dependable when it comes to getting what you order? Quality-assurance is slipping everywhere! Eliza
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems very undependable in one case. That vendor usually offers a good price BUT...
DeleteWhat a sumptuous display you have created with the first Dahlias, very nicely presented. Noelle
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle! At least I now think I should get a healthy crop of dahlias this year, if not actually what I ordered ;)
DeleteOh dahlias....love the colors. Glad it has warmed some for you. My dahlias are starting too and I am sure mine was mislabeled.
ReplyDeleteMislabeled dahlia tubers seem to be becoming an increasing problem for many of us. As I replaced all my tubers last year due to a virus last year, I was hoping for some consistency.
DeleteYou always have such lovely dahlias Kris and I love that coral one 'Omega'. The Grevillea goes perfectly with it, and the Agonis too. I have no success with dahlias at all myself and have given up!
ReplyDeleteDahlias do need a bit if babying when they're tubers, Cathy, And then there's also the risk of the dahlia virus, which took out all of mine last year...
DeleteI love that Lilium 'Zelmira', it's fabulous. When I saw the dahlias my first thought was "flouncy"... I'm always tempted when I see them on offer as cut stems but they just don't last long enough to justify the price. I hope your fresh cuts last longer.
ReplyDeleteFresh dahlia stems do last a lot longer than what you see in the markets, although they don't usually hold up more than a week once cut.
DeleteImposter or not it's still a lovely dahlia and a lovely arrangement. I have grown Belle of Barmera (obtained from a reliable grower) and it's more on the orangey/peach side so I think you are correct in assuming it's not who she says she is. Seems to happen frequently. At least it's a beauty.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm now guessing that it's Dahlia 'Break Out', which I've also previously grown, albeit not recently.
DeleteThe dahlias are pretty and as you said, huge. I hope you find Belle of Barmera that matches the online promise at some point. It's coloring is quite distinctive.
ReplyDeleteI'll look for it from a different seller next time!
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