GARDENER'S WORD

Below is the dahlia 'Princess Nadine' . It is open flowered and so attracts pollinators, I am happy to say. I bought two of this dahlia by accident, a happy accident as it turns out. None of the dahlia tubers I have bought to plant in tubs belongs to the tall dahlia or dinnerplate flowered dahlias. Princess Nadine flower stems only grow to about 3ft high, 5ft max.  Dahlia 'Princess Nadine' Dahlia 'Princess Nadine' with a Harlequin Ladybird on board (H armonia axyridis)

I have tried to grow a number of dahlias this year, all grown in large terracotta containers, all fed and watered the same way, and have been disappointed with many. I think the hot dry weather we have been having lately in the United Kingdom has had an adverse effect on many them, dwarfing their flowers, but there is one which seems quite unaffected and is an absolute dazzler: Jennifer Mary Ellen.  I'll post images of the others in due course. I'm just waiting to see if they pick up now that we have a little rain.  Presently, there is a hosepipe ban in Yorkshire, including my area in West Yorkshire.  Dahlia 'Jennifer Mary Ellen' Dahlia Jennifer Mary Ellen By the way, the Mignon dahlias which I have now grown for a couple of years, seemed to take the heat of a long dry spell in their stride.  They truly are pollinator magnets.  Mignon dahlias in yellow and white Mignon dahlias attract pollinators