There is always a sense of the unknown when growing a new dahlia variety for the first time, sometimes those that were expected to turn out as champions can be a bitter disappointment. Whilst others that arrived almost unheralded later become top class cultivars. One such variety was the lavender and white giant decorative Sir Alf Ramsey. All that most of us saw of this variety last season was a total of five blooms which were spread over the two national shows. This year the massive reflexing blooms were an absolute revelation. Amongst many special awards won was the accolade for best and second best giant decorative in show (unheard of in a new cultivar) at the national show held in Shepton Mallett.
Giant Decorative
Reeces Dream Very well formed apricot- bronze blooms have a ¼
inch of white tipping on the end of each petal. I did find the
tipping was a little inconsistent and non-existent on some of
the blooms. The 11 inch blooms would look even more impressive
with a touch more depth. Grow 3 up.
Mingus Whitney Although this ivory white American variety has
been on the market for the past year it is surprising that more
growers of this type have not tried it. I was most impressed when
I saw it in the N. D. S. trials in Golden Acres Park. Well formed
12 inch blooms supported by robust 4 foot plants. Grow 3 up.
Cream Capella Superb cream sport from the reliable Wanda‘s
Capella. Identical to the parent in every way but colour. A
variety no giant grower will want to be without when released
in 2001. Grow 4 up.
Cynthia Louise A useful variety for the multi-vase exhibitor
of this type . Well formed blooms in clear cream are held on good
stems with healthy 4 foot habit. Grow 3 up.
Hy Totem Although sent from Canada as a Semi-cactus, this tall
strong growing variety is most definitely a decorative. Early
flowering, well formed bright yellow blooms measured 12 inches
in width and had good depth.
Giant Semi-cactus
Janal Amy Had an exceptional first season in commerce, both I
and the raiser had some fine blooms on this low growing seedling
champion last season but the size and quality of the bright yellow
flowers that I saw in Golden Acre Park were simply out of this
world. Grow 3 up.
Windhaven Premier Pure white blooms with good size and depth.
The petals did seem to twist a little spoiling the overall formation.
Strong stems and good habit. Grow 3 up.
Large Semi- cactus
Pat Mark Bright orange / bronze blooms have good showbench form
and reached 9½ inches when grown 5-6 up. Best results
were achieved on this Harrogate seedling winner when grown unprotected.
Strong stems on tall growing plants.
Medium Semi-cactus
White Pastelle Although this pure white sport from Gills Pastelle
has been listed commercially in the past for various reasons it
has not been released. However a large stock has now been built
up and is being released shortly. Identical formation and habit
to other members of this reliable family. Grow 7 up.
Yellow Pastelle We might have to wait until 2001 for this bright
yellow sport from Sunlight Pastelle to become available. Although
all the Pastelle family have a nasty habit of producing split
petalled blooms when the buds form in hot sunny conditions they
are bankers for most exhibitors and any of their off-spring are
worth trying. Grow 7 up.
Medium Decoratives
Candle in the Wind Impressive Bowcock trophy winner (best seedling
in show) at Harrogate in 1998. Pale yellow, beautifully formed
blooms dress back on to strong stems. Tall growing robust plants.
Grow 6 up.
Andrea Clark Classy bright yellow blooms have excellent reflexing
form and come to size well when grown 7 up. John Clark (the raiser)
has named it after his sister.
Phil Ledgard Named by raiser Barry Davies after a keen exhibitor
and close friend. This pink and yellow blended beauty will not
be on release until 2001. Very healthy strong stemmed cultivar,
needs growing 5 up to reach top size.
Leopold Classic Overall Harrogate champion seedling for 1999.
Superb globular reflexing blooms come in bright yellow overlaid
with just a hint of bronze. Again we will have to be patient
as this cracker is due for 2001 release.
Small Cactus / Semi- cactus
Lavender Line This American introduction stood out head and shoulders
above the other new varieties in this section. Bright lavender
- pink blooms have sharp form and tremendous depth. Early flowering
4 foot cultivar.
Ruskin Marigold Had a good first season on public release. I
was not sure last season whether the bright orange formation was
cactus or semi-cactus. After a season of being grown nationwide
it is most decidedly a semi-cactus. Early free flowering 3½
foot cultivar.
Maltby Whisper Super clear lemon yellow true cactus from New
Zealand where it secured a trial garden award. Nice 3½
foot habit and suitable for all purposes. Grow 8 up.
Small Ball
Katja I usually receive at least one good variety from Holland
each year in this section. Early flowering bright yellow globular
blooms have super form and long straight stems. Grow 7 up.
Small Decorative
Ruskin Impact Sharply formed salmon pink blooms are globular
and dress back on to stout stems. Superb vase used in Frank Taylor‘s
winning six vase exhibit at our national show.
Spennythorn Sublime Bright yellow tall growing cultivar with
tight form and great depth. Strong healthy habit with powerful
stems but slightly late flowering. Grow 6 up.
Spennythorn King This 1998 Harrogate seedling champion produces
well formed pale pink and white 6 inch blooms on low growing plants.
Grow 6 up.
Barbarry Nationwide Sensational full sized dark red blooms
have superb petal placement, good stems and strong healthy habit.
Harrogate seedling winner 1999. Grow 8 up.
Amber Festival Released in tuber form earlier this year it was
always a worry that this pale bronze sport from Gateshead Festival
would be so close in colour to it‘s parent that it might
not qualify as a different variety. After growing 20 plants of
each this year, there is no doubt about it, the colour of the
sport is much paler and we have definitely gained another top
class variety. Six inch blooms of the highest quality are produced
on late flowering 3½ foot plants.
Miniature Decorative
Geoffrey Kent Very classy 1998 London seedling winner. Bright
red blooms have excellent petal placement and depth. Named after
raiser David Kent‘s father. Grow 10 up or oversize may occur.
Blooms Amy Well formed American cultivar in white and lavender
blends. Chosen as overseas dahlia of the year at the national
show in Somerset. Healthy habit and stout stems. .
Lismore Chaffinch Fine tightly formed blooms come in glowing
bright orange / red. Silver Medal winner at 1998 Welsh trials.
Top notch 3½ foot variety. Grow 9 up.
Fire Mountain What a great garden variety this is very dark (almost
black) foliage is lit up by it‘s fire red blooms. Described
by many as having dwarf habits it still reaches 3 feet in height.
Free flowering and prolific with wiry stems. Grow everything up.
Barbarry Oldtime Typical healthy early free flowering cerise
beauty from Barry Davies. Powerful 4 foot growth and strong stems.
Hillcrest Margaret Eyecatching blending of golden orange and
bright yellow in this stunning Les Jackson novelty . Fine form
and early flowering habit , comes to size easily , so grow everything
up .
Hillcrest Hannah Bright yellow blooms have very refined petal
lay and great depth. Good stems on early flowering plants. Grow
12 up.
Woodlands Uptown Girl Fine early flowering dual purpose variety.
Dark red petals dress back to form a globular flower. Very strong
stems of healthy clean habit. Grow 10 up.
White Knight Lovely white globular novelty from Scotland. This
Tom Cleghorn raising was a winner at the Scottish National in
1999. Strong 3½ foot plants produce a constant stream
of blooms. Grow 9 up.
Miniature Ball
Lemon Zing Although this super lemon yellow variety has the
tightest of form many of the blooms I saw were decorative and
not ball which only goes to show that it is important not to just
rely on a trader‘s catalogue but to enter an unclassified
cultivar in the class that the shape and size of the flower dictates
when grown on your own plot. Strong 4½ foot plants are
best when flowered 10 up.
Hy Suntan A real class act from Canada. Grown 10 up it produces
globular pale bronze blooms for every show I attended. Consistent
winner of seedling and overseas awards. Strong stems on healthy
4½ foot plants.
Ivanetti Superb dark maroon sport of Cornel. Same strong stems
and very healthy 4 foot growth. Fine ball form that can be shown
as a small or a miniature. Grow 6 up as a small or 10 up as a
miniature.
Blooms Betty Bright red petals build up to produce a golf ball
like bloom. Strong stems on 4 foot plants. Grow 7 up.
Barbarry Mambo Fine dual purpose early flowering variety. Bright
purple ball like blooms are of free robust habit. Grow 10 up.
Pompons
Pacific Revival Although a single bloom of this fine lilac New
Zealand pom is as good as any it is not easy to match a vase.
It‘s globular form will ensure that growers will give it
a go. I suggest a reasonably large number of plants if you are
tempted.
Jean‘s Carol Another sport from the ever popular Minley
Carol but I am afraid it is a little coarse in formation and will
struggle at the top level. Rich purple and free flowering.
Martin‘s Red Definitely not red, more of ivory white overlaid
in dark pinkish red. Good run of the mill Pom from New Zealand.
Perhaps not in the top league.
Other Types
Sno-Ho Penny Top quality fimbriated medium semi-cactus in dark
pink with cream base. This 1999 National winner has superb form
and great depth. Slightly late flowering best grown 7 up.
Weston Spanish Dancer Without doubt the most sensational garden
variety I saw this year. The 4 foot plants were covered in spectacular
bright red and yellow 4 inch blooms for the complete season.
A well named miniature cactus that will light up the gloomiest
of gardens. Grow everything up.
Hillcrest Regal Show quality dark red and white collarette.
Strong 4 foot habit with wiry stems. Grow 9 up.
Tranquillity Pure white collarette from New Zealand. Very early
and free flowering.
Pasodoble This was another marvellous garden cultivar a beautiful
Anemone flowered dahlia. It‘s creamy white outer ring of
florets and bright yellow raised cushion for the central disc
have earned it the nick name of the ‘fried egg‘ dahlia.
Very early 3½ foot plants bloomed freely all season long
and lit up the Wisley trials.
Tarahiti Ruby This New Zealand raised bright red small flowered
waterlily bloomed early and produced excellent blooms on 4 foot
plants.