They’re so lovely and elegant in their simplicity. As you are a knowledgeable Dahlia grower, are you able to ID this? It was sent to me a few years ago as seed of Dahlia campanulata by a GOTE contributor. Apols for the poor image taken at night. It was approx 9-10ft tall. The flower petals were rounder and shorter than my imperialis.
Incidentally, Andy sent me some more campanulata seed from a different supplier but I’m still waiting for a flower. The tuber on one has certainly misshapen my pond liner which it has crept underneath so I hope it eventually repays me with a bloom!
Hi Martin
Your flowering Dahlia looks like D. tenuicaulis or possibly a hybrid of it.
A German supplier did distribute this as D. campanulata seed a few years ago and so confusion continues.
One big problem growing Dahlia from seed is that they are self incompatible so if you grow just one clone any seed will be hybrid.
Last year Mark's Dahlia (australis x tenuicaulis) was the best thing in front of the house. This year it is a bit smaller, and reminds me to slug-bait sooner.
This year Dahlia aff. purpusii has grown more strongly. The flowers are almost identical, but the plant is fuller.
Hi John
No need to put aff purpusii !
As I understand it your material came from the type locality and has a very distinctive simple leaf.
It is so distinctive amongst Dahlias with its Hydrangea like leaves.
Sadly my material suffered at -6 C and although surviving won't flower this year