For summer flowers, there is nothing better than the Dahlia family. Now that June is ending and July is beginning, it is not too late to include Dahlias in your garden, both in the ground and in pots. Roger’s receives weekly shipments of fully grown Dahlias in bud and bloom for an instant splash of color and a constant source of cut flowers.

I first fell in love with Dahlias in the early 70s. While traveling in Europe, I stumbled upon , on the shores of the Danube, a 20 foot wooden sky blue skiff that some creative gardener had filled with Dahlias. The huge flowers   in a riot of colors against the blue of the skiff and the dark   river water branded a picture in my memory that I will never forget.

Dahlias produce more flowers, in more sizes, shapes and colors, per dollar spent than any other plant I know. Additionally, the tubers can be removed in the fall and stored until next March at which time they can be divided and replanted. Yes, the tubers multiply prolifically so you can have more plants for yourself or to  share with friends.

As they grow, Dahlias may need some staking for support. Bamboo stakes are inexpensive and reliable. Dahlias will benefit from regular feeding to keep them blooming.  I recommend Rogers Flower Food, an easy to apply water soluble especially designed for blooming plants. Like most flowering plants, the more you cut, the more they bloom.

Here are some of my favorites:

Thomas Edison Dahlia

Lavender Perfection

Kelvin Floodlight

Babylon Pink