The dahlias are growing so nicely this season, and some are already beginning to show off those colorful flowers that bloom from midsummer right through the first frost.
The dahlia garden is tucked behind my vegetable greenhouse in an area exposed to full sun and protected from strong winds. My dahlias are from Floret, a family farm and floral design studio in the State of Washington. We also have some from Swan Island Dahlias in Oregon, a family owned business and the largest and leading dahlia grower in the United States. And, a selection comes from The Flower Hat, based in Bozeman, Montana.
Enjoy these photos of some of the season's first dahlia blooms and have a lovely July 4th weekend.
Dahlias grow more blooms when they get at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. This spot was previously used for growing grapes, but it has now turned out to be a perfect place for our dahlias.
Dahlia plants have slender erect stems which are not always capable of holding up the large flowers, so they must be well-supported. This year we used bamboo stakes and jute twine. The twine is looped around the bamboo, so the flower stems can grow between the strands.
The array of flower colors, sizes, and shapes is astounding. Dahlias come in white, shades of pink, red, yellow, orange, shades of purple, and various combinations of these colors – every color but true blue. Do you know… in the 19th century, a London newspaper offered a pound, or a little more than a dollar, to the first breeder to create a blue dahlia? Interestingly, the reward was never claimed, but there have been many attempts that are near-blue. Like many flower varieties, there is also no pure black variety—only dark red and dark purple.
Dahlias are named after 18th-century Swedish botanist Anders Dahl. He actually categorized dahlias as a vegetable because of their edible tubers. The tubers are said to taste like a mix between potatoes and radishes.
Dahlia plant leaves grow opposite each other and are simple to pinnately compound with segments that are ovate to oblong to lanceolate in shape. The leaf margins may be lobed or dentate. Leaves may be green, reddish-purple, or purple-black depending on the variety.
Currently, there are about 42 species of dahlia, with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. A member of the Asteraceae family of dicotyledonous plants, some of its relatives include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia.
This cactus variety is called ‘Park Princess’ with tightly rolled rich, vibrant pink petals. It is a prolific re-bloomer and an excellent cut flower.
Dahlias are classified according to flower shape and petal arrangement.
This is a single dahlia with just one row of petals surrounding the center disc. They range from a charming single, daisy-like flower to the popular double varieties which can be two-inch-pompons to 12-inch dinner plate size. They are divided into 10 groups: single, anemone, collarette, waterlily, decorative, fall, pompon, cactus, semi-cactus, and miscellaneous.
Pompon dahlias yield masses of intricate, fully double blooms measuring up to two-and-a-half inches across. This dahlia is a pretty light salmon color.
Dahlias thrive in rich, well-drained soil with a pH level of 6.5 to 7.0 and slightly acidic.
The majority of dahlia species do not produce scented flowers or cultivars, but they are brightly colored to attract pollinating insects.
Dahlias are very attractive to bees and hummingbirds.
Here is an elegant dahlia which produces large blossoms with fully double, slender, deep pink petals with creamy throats that produce a frilled effect-hence the name Fimbriata meaning frilly.
The genus Dahlia is native to the high plains of Mexico. Some species can be found in Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador & Costa Rica as well as parts of South America where it was introduced. This lavender-pink dahlia also has frilled petals.
This dahlia is creamy yellow with a bold yellow center – a lovely and perfectly formed bloom.
And here is one in dark burgundy.
This dahlia is named ‘Bashful’ with its dark burgundy petals, hot pink tips, and golden stamens in the center of the flower. The three-inch flower blooms on a plant that grows to two-and-a-half feet by the end of the season. This is a great dahlia for bedding, containers, and cut flowers.
Dahlias are herbaceous perennials, but often grown as annuals. We used to dig up our dahlias at the end of the season and then replant them in the spring. The key to maintaining dahlia tubers for the winter is making sure they stay dry, have good air circulation, and are in a cool, dark spot. This past winter, we covered them with bales of hay to protect them from the winter elements – and it worked. Click here to see the blog on how we protected our dahlias.
This dahlia bud is just about to open. When the flowers grow, they emerge small and pale green at first. And gradually they get larger and more detailed.
Dahlias produce an abundance of wonderful flowers throughout early summer and again in late summer until the first frost. I am looking forward to many arrangements.
Many of you often These gorgeous flowers were used for a recent photo shoot. The color combinations look so pretty in these glass vessels. When arranging, always strip off all the leaves that would be below the water line in the vase. This is true for all flower arrangements, not just dahlias. When leaves stay underwater, they decay and release bacteria that shorten the vase life of the flowers. And change the water daily so they look fresh and last longer. These dahlias should last through the holiday weekend.
Enjoy these photos, and be sure to take a look at all my holiday offerings on the QVC website.
Here I am in my studio living room surrounded by lots of my newest holiday items for QVC. We spent an entire day – 24-hours – celebrating my Collection. It’s a lot of work, but always fun.
Our tree looks so pretty this year. Look at all the glistening ornaments. As part of my Collection, I am offering 13-piece Tree Decor Kits – complete with stars, wreaths, beaded birds, and metallic bursts. Buy one set, two, or even three and use them on your own tree or give away as gifts.
Here is one of the beaded stars included in the kit.
And here is one of the metallic bursts – they really do brighten up the tree and add a nice variety of decorations all in one group.
This season, one can also get a set of six of these Metallic Feathered Birds with clips. As many of you know, I love birds, and these make such a nice addition to the holiday decor. They come in silver or gold.
They can run for 266 hours and have a multi-function timer.
I decorated the mantel with my lights, flocked trees, and my popular flameless candles.
This is my 16-inch Down Swept Flocked Tabletop Tree with 30 battery-operated LED lights. Place it on the mantel, bookcase, or table and decorate it with clip-on birds.
I also offer sets of two Glittered Holiday Tree Pillars in six-inch and nine-inch sizes. These are white, but they also come in silver, champagne, and gold. And they run on a multi-timer remote control.
These birds come in a set of six and are made of blown glass on easy to use clips. They look so pretty perching on your holiday tree branches.
Use my Jingle Bell Star Ornaments as part of your gift decor – attach to the bow and make them even more special.
On my windowsill are these cheerful Flat Jeweled Pedestal Trees which can be swept up or down for display. And look, my TSV Color Change Globe Lights can be positioned around the base of the trees for a more festive effect.
My TSV lights can also be mixed with holiday ornaments and placed in a cloche – look how festive they are.
Drape the lights on your logs when the fireplace is not being used. It adds a beautiful look, especially at night.
This is one of a pair of Tinsel Fur Penguins. My Color Change Globe Lights look so fanciful used as a necklace.
Place the pair on pedestals – a large one looks up as the other smaller penguin looks down.
And don’t forget the wine. Order this for yourself or give as a gift. This wine set includes a choice of three 750-ml bottles of wine and three gift bags. The wine selections are Spencer Family Sauvignon Blanc, Bayshore Pinot Grigio, Monarch Glen Merlot, and Sierra Trails Zinfandel.
And, because it’s “Christmas in July” – why not light up some beautiful summer roses? Place them around the smaller vase containing the flowers, and then put in a larger glass vessel. These lights can be used in so many different ways in any season. We had so much fun talking about these holiday decorations. I hope you visit the website to see more of my new offerings. It may be July now, but the holidays will be here before you know it.
It’s always so exciting whenever we have babies here at the farm. Inside my stable feed room we currently have three peachicks, two chicks, and five keets, plus more youngsters in an outdoor enclosure.
I’ve been raising chickens and other fowl for quite some time. I love keeping chickens for their fresh, delicious eggs, but I also enjoy raising other birds and learning about the different breeds and varieties. Earlier this week, five keets and a peachick hatched in my kitchen where I keep a small incubator specially designed for eggs. My friend, Christopher Spitzmiller, also gifted me with two Burford bronze peachicks, eight young Buff Orpingtons, and four lavender Araucanas. They will all be great additions to my flock.
Here are some photos - enjoy.
Whenever we’re expecting baby birds here at the farm, my stable manager, Helen, who is very experienced in raising chickens, sets up my large bird cages with bedding, feeders, and proper heating elements. These cages are located in the feed room of my stable.
The feeders are filled with organic chick starter for the first six to eight weeks.
This feed is kept wet, so it is more palatable for the babies.
A heat lamp is placed into the cage to keep it warm – chicks less than a month old do best in temperatures around 80 to 85-degrees Fahrenheit.
Helen adds wood shavings for strong footing. It is important that growing chicks don’t slip. Slippery surfaces are the most common cause of spraddle leg – a condition where the chick essentially does splits and has difficulty walking or getting up.
And here they are. In this photo – a baby lavender Araucana chick and a baby Burford bronze peachick. Baby chicks need constant monitoring until they are at least four or five weeks old. Here in the Stable feed room, they are checked several times a day. This room is also free from drafts.
Burford bronze peafowl are bred from a color mutation. The origins of this breed date from the 1980s when they were developed by Burford Abbott of Marysville, Tennessee. Full grown, the males will have stunning dark olive green iridescent necks and dark iridescent bronze trains with touches of copper. These two peachicks from my friend Christopher hatched within hours of each other, which is good so they are not lonely.
Here, one can see the markings on the peachick – already so beautiful. Peachicks, or baby peafowl, are difficult to sex until they’ve reached roughly five months of age, when more of their physical characteristics are visible.
This is a lavender Araucana. Araucana chicks are strong, fast growers and mature quickly. This one is also quite curious. All these chicks have clear eyes and are very alert – signs of good health.
These chicks are also from Christopher. They are light gray in appearance.
These chicks all get along wonderfully and are already learning to roost together.
This yellow peachick hatched in my Winter House kitchen. And because it was raised around humans from the moment it hatched, it is very interested in people and just wants to greet everyone who comes in to visit.
It wasn’t long before the peachick came up close to say hello.
And here is one of the beautiful baby Guinea fowl, also known as a keet. Guinea fowl keets are cute, chirpy, curious and somewhat clumsy at first. This one will mature to a dark gray color with tiny white spots. Enma holds it up for a photo before placing it in the cage.
This one will be a lighter gray in color when full grown. Right now, these keets are nothing short of adorable.
It is very difficult to sex Guinea fowl. The best way to tell males from females is by their cry. When they’re older, the female Guineas will make a two-syllable call that sounds something like “buckwheat, buckwheat”. Males can only make a one-syllable sound similar to “kickkkkk kickkkkk”. The males also have larger gills or wattles.
Guinea fowl enjoy being with their own kind and will always maintain their own social groups even when integrated into the coop with the other chickens and geese. And do you know what a group of Guinea fowl is called? The collective noun for guinea fowl is “confusion” or “rasp.”
I’ve raised many different chicken breeds and varieties over the years – they are all so fun to observe. These gold colored chicks are Buff Orpington chickens. Introduced from England in the late 1800s, they became one of the most popular farm fowls in this country. It is also Christopher’s favorite chicken breed. These birds will grow to be large and stately with quiet, friendly dispositions.
These birds are a bit older than the others and are residing in an outdoor coop. Every chick is personally shown where their food and water sources are, so they know where to find it. All my chicks get a balanced diet of medicated chick crumb with some treats and fresh greens from my gardens.
At first the chicks are a bit unsure of their surroundings, huddling together in one corner.
But after a few minutes, they’re eager to explore the space. A slightly older lavender Araucana perches on the water container while the young Buff Orpington watches nearby – maybe he’s hoping for a perching spot too.
These young chickens will stay together for several weeks. And then, once the chickens are old enough, they will be moved down to the first coop in the chicken yard to join the others.
Right now, they’ll share their space with my stunning Silkies. I wonder what the Silkies are thinking about their new friends. If you’re unfamiliar with Silkies, underneath all that feathering, they have black skin and bones and five toes instead of the typical four on each foot. Silkie chickens are known for their characteristically fluffy plumage said to feel silk- or satin-like to the touch. I think they’ll all be very happy here at Cantitoe Corners.
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