Dahlias to die for

Cloudburst

My friend Charlene and I went to the Le Tour des Plants, a nursery hopping expedition along the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  We had a tremendous day of fun and found great plant bargains.  The idea is to visit as many nurseries as you can, get your passport signed, buy plants, then on to the next nursery.

Fascination

We turned in our passports at the last stop to be entered in a drawing for fabulous prizes which neither of us expects to win, but it’s fun to think we might.  We ended up with only  four stamps on our passports as we were sidetracked by a number of non-participating nurseries between each of the participants!

First Kiss

We only quit when we had to…the nurseries were closing.  We seriously could only have fit 2 more plants in my car if Charlene held them on her lap.  One of the highlights of our day, although not on the tour was Swan Island Dahlias.

Purple Taheijo

It was just starting to sprinkle as we arrived, so we tried to be quick but were soaked anyway within an hour.  Smitten by the color of all the gorgeous dahlias in bloom, we were both happy to have been there rain or not.

Sugar Lips

These photos represent only some of the list of ‘must haves’ I made up to purchase in the spring.

Red Devil

All but one from my half of our carload of plants has been planted after a week of planting.  You now know that the process of planting in my garden is more complex than simply digging a hole.  The perfect location for each new beauty is either already inhabited by another lovely, or an undeveloped section of my garden.

Lindy

If the location is already inhabited, it means relocation.  Finding a better spot for the current resident, which could mean an entire series of plants must be relocated!  If the perfect location is undeveloped, of course it means taking the time and energy to dig out rocks, add compost to the soil, then locate and add companion plants for the newest ‘had to have it’ plant!

Brushstrokes

In the end, I expanded three garden sections into the undeveloped areas surrounding them.  Fortunately we’ll soon be entering our rainy season so I won’t have to worry about rearranging my sprinklers until next spring!

Glamour Girl

It’s going to look fabulous around here next year.  I can’t wait to see it!

Bed Head

And just when you thought all my dahlia selections were pinks and purples…into the mix comes a tangerine!  I love all colors but as you can tell was drawn by the pinks & purples at Swan Island Dahlias!

Swan Island Dahlias

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time…..

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