As it's been such a mild autumn so far, one of our very late flowering Dahlias actually had the chance to flower this year.
 |
| Dahlia excelsa currently in bloom |
 |
| Dahlia excelsa towering at the back of the border at over 12' tall |
This plant was given to us a few years ago by a friend, which he originally sourced from Crug Farm. It has been reliably hardy for him, with his location much colder than ours, and as expected has been reliably hardy so for us too. It is deciduous in the colder months and sprouts back from the ground again in the spring. I tried to overwinter one in a pot before, inside a heated greenhouse wondering if it will remain evergreen, but it still went dormant regardless.
It's one of the most statuesque Dahlias you can grow, and I highly recommend if you want a foliage plant that looks majestic in just one season. And like this year you might get an autumn bonus and get it to flower too!
Mark
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
Very interesting, Boys. I had to cut back and dig up the dahlias at the Priory earlier than normal as I was going away on holiday. They weren't as frosted as I would've liked. The tubers, now in the greenhouse, are re-sprouting and though I knew that they would eventually go dormant it's good to hear that confirmed. (I don't normally dig up dahlias but for reasons I won't bore you with, I do at the moment). That is an amazing 12 ft plant. Something else for the list – sigh. Dave
ReplyDeleteI really might have to add this to my list!!!
ReplyDeleteI have one in my garden. With our milder climate it always flowers...but very late in the season. I always cut it off at the ground, I hadn't thought of leaving stems. You are right, it is very bamboo-ish when dormant.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I nearly put one in the box but removed it last minute, I should have left it. I have several cuttings but might not be worth sending them till next year as it will go dormant anyway. I'll get one your way come spring :)
ReplyDeleteLibby, I could send you a rooted cutting too in the spring :) just remind me if I forget!
Hazel, glad to know you have one! With your milder winters at least you can enjoy their flowers much more reliably than in here. Strip some of the lower leaves and see if you like the look :)
Fabulous! how does it compare to Imperialis?
ReplyDeleteIt seems much more vigorous and throws out more shoots from the ground in one season. Overall it's a denser, leafier looking plant compared to Imperialis but it's main advantage is that it is more reliably hardy too. It took us three goes to get an Imperialis to come back, no problems with Excelsa :)
ReplyDeleteVery unusual is excelsa. Dahlias are not so often appreciated for the beauty of their leaves. I doubt if it would reach flowering stage in Aberdeen.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous plant, though at 12' it must be hard to get up close to the flowers...
ReplyDeleteAlistair, it's worth a try in your garden even for just the foliage which you can use as a backdrop to your other plants :)
ReplyDeleteJanet, yes it was difficult to get up close to the flowers! And where we sited it was extra awkward to take photos of it. So lots of stretching and bending when I took those photos, lol!