PUSHING THE BORDERS

Dahlia rudis hybrid. 2.5m tall with 10cm diameter flowers


Dahlia tenuicaulis x australis


Dahlia rupicola x merckii


Dahlia merckii showing range of shades, size and form

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.

That really dark D. merckii is superb, Mark!

Thanks Mark. It certainly had a nice, bountiful spray of blooms.

Love the Tree dahlias.
Dahlia aff. purpusii from Crug, has been flowering non-stop since June



Dahlia campanulata and Dahlia tamaulipana in bud here, pictures next week hopefully.

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

A nice bit of sunshine today brought out the first flowers on both D. campanulata and D. tenuicaulis

The leaves of your tenuicaulis looks very like my tamaulipana Andy.

I grow it mainly for the foliage effect.



Its flowers are being out done by the Camellia 'Hugh Evans' behind it.



Chad