Re: dahlia imperialis
Hi Loretta -
The Tree Dahlia is a fun, huge grower, and many people who go in for drama
(like me) are fond of it. I grew my first in Santa Clara, many years ago,
and indeed, I seldom saw the flowers. These seem to be triggered into
bloom just as the bad weather threatens, and are soon stripped from the
plant by high winds and stormy weather in bud or just as they open. The
best place to get reliable flowering is where the plant is more protected
from winds - perhaps against a house or in an interior courtyard,
etc. There must be high enough protection as well - this thing will clear
a single story wall or house and the topmost parts (where the flowers are)
will be vulnerable. I've seen some gorgeous specimens in San Francisco,
hidden from ocean winds in the lea of those tall Victorian townhouses.
Even if they never bloom, their stems and foliage are impressive! Cut down
to or close to the ground in winter, they produce huge, bamboo-like stems
with enormous, tri-pinnate leaves up to 3-4 foot across! They grow very
fast if given water, moderately to slow if not (once established). People
always respond to how fast they grow, and would routinely come back to my
garden over a period of time to check on it progress!
My own, in Santa Clara, finally did bloom for my during a particularly mild
winter. It was wonderful, with single lavender, 8-petaled flowers hanging
down like delicate open lampshades with yellow centers. They last a few
days before they were trashed in a storm. I've grow these occasionally
over the years, and have planted them in clients' gardens as
well. Someday, when I have a good place for it to be protected, I'll grow
is again. This a white form, which is very nice, and double in both white
and lavender. The later I don't like much - they spoil the simplicity of
the flower and the dying flowers tend to hang on rather unattractively
turning brown (and too high up to easily remove).
BTW - these guys do have underground tuber, like all Dahlias. They are in
proportion to their above ground size. I know this from experience -
Having had to dig one out of a garden. I don't advise this as a general
practice, and it might be a consideration it planting it in a 'tight
spot'. It took the better part of two days to dig out this guy, and
certainly tested my strength upon completion! ;-)
Regards,
Sean O.
At 11:06 AM 11/5/00 -0800, loretta gerity jacobs wrote:
>I had completely forgotten about these wonderful plants. I had one in my
>yard in SF a long time ago, and thought it was some kind of miracle thing
>that happened
>every year. Had no clue what it was, was not even into gardening at that
>time. But i wonder if it tolerates frost? Would it grow over in West Marin
>where the
>temps are more extreme?
>And where would one purchase this plant?
>Another question, I'd like to start a Cecil Brunner Rose on my fence, and
>wonder what is the best source for roses? Anyone have a favorite rose place?
>One last question, is there a list somewhere of plants that hummingbirds like?
>As usual, thanks for all the help.
>
>loretta in fairfax
h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Sean A. O'Hara fax (707) 667-1173 sean.ohara@groupmail.com
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
