Just about all the dahlias are in flower now (except The Baron), so I have been reviewing my selection. In terms of height I think I have made better choices although the intermittent harsh rain and winds of the past couple of weeks have proved my staking to be inadequate. Several times I have found plants flattened to the ground but luckily they all seem to have survived. The trouble is, I hate seeing plant stakes. I will have to invest in an improved system for next year - even if it's only a really good batch of tough twigs from the cob nut tree when I take it down.
In terms of colours, I have been a bit too subtle - for me. There are rather too many whites - nice but a bit too sober - and I really need a complementary note to the pinks and reds, preferably a rich orange somewhere. Could do with some really good mauves/purples too. Jura has turned out to be a bit too much like last year's Hayley Jane and I was really disappointed that Rose Cottage nursery never replaced the 2 of 3 The Baron which failed to grow. I hope it was just an oversight on their part. I will remind them of it if I order from them again. Otherwise the dahlias are a cheery bunch.
Object lesson for 2012 - be a bit bolder and order earlier!
I will be posting pics of the individual varieties in due course....
In the "working patch" behind the greenhouse I was astonished to find a second crop of strawberries coming. Must protect them from the huge slugs which have been appearing for the last fortnight. Have just made a crumble with some of next door's lovely apples and 4 small stems of rhubarb I thought I shouldn't waste.
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