Dahlia 'Union Jack' | Davids Garden Diary

The exquisite beauty and scent of Sweet Pea ‘Betty Maiden’ is overpowering as I walk down the path. She is certainly one of the strongest fragrances in my little collection of Sweet Peas and one I will always cherish.

The first Dahlias are in flower already including this ‘Union Jack’, also known as ‘Star of Denmark’, which I am lucky to be looking after and propagating for Plant Heritage. It is a rather sickly looking plant with spindly stems which flop under the weight of the rather garish flowers but it flowers profusely until the first frosts.

It is proving to be a very good year for roses with very strong flowering and lots of healthy foliage and few greenfly. This ‘Let’s Celebrate’ is a good example of the sheer quantity and quality of blooms. Much admired at my Tradescantia Collection Open Day on Thursday along with several others equally as good.

Just exquisite! Rosa ‘Isn’t She Lovely’. Yes she is! Perfection.

The Alstroemerias are beginning to flower with ‘Indian Summer’ the first. They took a while to get over the tough winter and fight their way through the 10cm of mulch I piled on top of them in November. I will start pulling them for the vase this weekend to keep them flowering. If you don’t already know, they are twisted and pulled like Rhubarb, never cut. The pulling stimulates more flower buds to form.

I do think these Nectaroscordum siculum are clever! When the drooping bells are pollinated by bees, they turn themselves upwards and close up like little pixie hats!

Couldn’t resist one more, the rock rose, Helianthemum ‘Wisley Primrose’, a sprawling sun lover for the dry garden which has incredible flower power for such a small plant. Not fussy about soil or moisture levels or nutrients but must be able to sunbathe all day!

Have a great weekend.

David

Blackberry ‘Merton Thornless’, absolutely delicious and currently picking a bowlful every day before the Blackbirds get them. The plant is enormous, far too big to net, but there are more than enough for everyone.

Dahlia ‘Union Jack’ , also known as ‘Star of Denmark’ is one of the oldest known cultivars dating back to at least 1832 but not grown much any more probably due to its lax habit. The flowers are too large and heavy for the spindly stems which droop under the weight. Anyone who has seen the original species dahlias like ‘merckii’ will recognise this unfortunate trait and understand why it went out of favour. I am now its Plant Guardian to make sure it remains in cultivation, despite its unpopularity!

Whilst most things in my garden are dying of thirst and underperforming, the fruit is amazing and revelling in the heat. These Japanese Wineberries are coming thick and fast and provide a welcome treat for topping the breakfast granola. The sticky little berries, like shiny miniature raspberries, are easy to grow and well worth it.

Aster trifoliatus subsp. ageratoides ‘Stardust’, lovely little species aster but terrible name! Another plant which has me as its Guardian but doesn’t need any help from me to survive. A real thug which refuses to stay in one place. A small 1 litre pot acquired 5 years ago is now a border all of its own and still spreading. Its stems root when they touch the ground and it sends out underground runners as well. Pure white starry flowers against mid-green foliage is a winning combination though.

Phlomis ‘Rougemont’, a sport of Phlomis fruticosa (Jerusalem Sage) discovered by chance in the grounds of the Rougemont Hotel in Exeter some years ago and now in my care. Unusual variegated felted foliage and a whorl of bright yellow hooded flowers adored by bumble bees. Only in a pot at the moment but due to be transferred into the garden when I can find the right spot, which is always the problem!

This Phlox paniculata was in the garden when we moved here 13 years ago, has been lifted and divided several times, and is now in several spots. It was destined for the compost heap last year but I gave it a reprieve and now quite like it so it can stay for another year or until I find something which deserves the space more.