With frost fast approaching, the dahlias haven't much time left. So I'm enjoying them while I can. These pink ones are 'Excentric', which I ordered from Swan Island Dahlias this spring.
Swan Island has an excellent selection and good prices, and if I ever decide to try dahlias again I'll definitely order from them. If you live in a climate with a longer growing season then Spokane and you like dahlias, you should check them out (by the way, no one pays me to say anything on this blog).
This vibrant dahlia is in the same flower bed as all the similarly-colored petunias (in the background) along the flagstone path. It's pretty and cheerful around there.
This 'Giggles' dahlia is in the front yard. Anyone who has read me ranting about how I hate construction-barrel-orange will laugh when I say that I love the color. But the hints of pink and the different shades of orange are so intriguing. I always stare at them when I walk by.
And now we come to the reason for the title of this post. The bumblebees think these dahlias make perfect beds! I've seen half a dozen bumblebees lounging at once on these dahlia flowers.
When I walked by the other day, a bumblebee was sitting on a dahlia and lazily waving her leg at me. I had to chuckle at that. Was she thanking me for planting her favorite flowers?
The bumblebees are crazy-busy on the nearby catmint. Maybe they tire themselves out so much that they have to rest on the conveniently located dahlias. Whatever the reason, it has been very amusing to see them all lying about.
Speaking of crazy-busy, I've been neglecting to answer comments lately. We've been busy getting back-to-school shopping done. But school finally started today for the older two (hooray!), so I should have more time to spend here. Except that I've got several hundred bulbs to plant soon . . . well, we'll see.
Betty - sorry it took so long for your comments to show up. I moderate comments on older posts to prevent spam, and I hadn't checked on them for a while. All of your kind words should show up now! You asked about my favorite siberian iris - I don't think I can pick a favorite. The true blue of 'June to Remember' is stunning and unique, but I also love the deep violet 'Worth the Wait'. I'm looking forward to seeing periwinkle 'Just Because' bloom next year.
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely! I buy my dahlias from Swan Island also and have never been disappointed!
ReplyDeleteWell congratulations, VW! I'm praying for a healthy happy baby. I agree with the bees. The dahlias are beautiful. Although I abhor orange, per se, I really like the corals and salmons with a hint of pink. This dahlia looks like a winner for sure. Best wishes getting those bulbs planted. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! so vibrant, I also have dahlia in my garden and it is really attractive,that's why I really love it. Anyway, Thanks for sharing this post. Looking for your next post.
ReplyDelete-yumi-
So pretty, VW!
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been by lately. I guess it gets crazy.
Have fun planting bulbs!
Great clarity in those shots.
ReplyDeleteI actually love orange, just that I find it nigh on impossible to place.
DO you lift your Dahlias each year and store then replant? They look amazing but the effort seems too much to invest!
ReplyDeleteI tried lifting the dahlia tubers one winter and didn't do a good job of caring for them, so they died. So I just left these ones to rot. I didn't replant any this year. In the future, if I plant dahlias I'll treat them as annuals. They really aren't that expensive from Swann Island Dahlias - often $3 to $4 each, which isn't bad for an annual.
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