Thomas Edison dahlia

Dahlias Down

| Flower Roberts

I did not dig these dahlias last fall. Nor did I remove their tomato cages that were placed for support. These are on a hill that I have fallen on many times when I had the legs of a mountain goat. I will not be doing much gardening here.

Site of last year’s fall and face-planting.


So the dahlias have been on their own for two seasons now. They seem to thrive on neglect, except they do need staking. I hate seeing flowers face-plant. Better them than me!

Falling Snow Country dahlia

It  pains me to see Thomas Edison so down.

Thomas Edison with bowing blooms.

Snow Country is falling like snow. Firepot is a complete mess. All the dahlias need a good dead-heading, but since their care-giver has had two hip surgeries and one to go, they must hold their own another season.

Firepot needing some preening.

They may need tending, but I must say they look the healthiest I have seen them in years. That’s what I am working toward for myself. Healthy and strong despite the falling.



My dahlias may be down, but they are still thriving without any help from me. Hooray solitary survival!

Snow Country face for photo. Ignore the shadow.

FLOWER

Steinway in Bramwell

| Flower Roberts

It’s an amazing life when you go to West Virginia to trail ride

and end up in a mansion listening to a famous pianist serenade on a Steinway.

It’s all because of Thomas Edison, the dahlia that is.

We were strolling around the charming town of Bramwell, West Virginia

after enjoying a milkshake at the Corner Cafe’

when I spied my friend Thomas Edison over a fence.

Of course I had no choice but to intrude into the lovely garden to speak with the owner.

He turned out to be the world renowned pianist, Harold Brown.

After introducing me to his dahlias ( later post), he invited us in for a quick concert

He gifted us a signed CD which we listened to on our ride home.

The magic is back.

Thanks to Harold Brown, Thomas Edison and Mr. Flower.

Stay tuned folks. There is much more to come!

FLOW

Worth the Water

| Flower Roberts

I have had to water these dahlias during the drought.

I knew if I could just get them through to cooler weather

they would return to their glorious blooming condition.

I have been rewarded for my efforts.

They have pulled through and prospered.

Definitely worth the water.

Flow

Dahlia Row

| Flower Roberts

I usually do not plant in rows.

But I envisioned a bed of tall dahlias along this walkway through a hill.

I thought it would be great to look down on the blooms.

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Snow Country Dahlia

Last fall I amended the soil with all the ingredients dahlias love…

compost from the kitchen, bunny poop and mushroom compost.

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Firepot dahlia

I even topped them off with a special stinky concoction that included fish emulsion and Epsom salts.

They have grown wonderfully.

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Thomas Edison dahlia

They were so beefy they needed extra staking.

I think my dahlias are happy in a row.

Don’t you?

FLOW