Friday, September 28, 2007

Linda's Dahlias

Lucky me! At the bottom of my driveway and up the road just 1/10th of a mile is a most beautiful garden: Linda's Dahlias is a small-scale commercial dahlia UPick place...she also sells tubers.
I headed over there yesterday as I wanted to see it in its fall glory before the first frost and the big rains come along.
Come along!....
Right below this sign, and just above the Washougal River, is the main garden..

This is the view from the road. While I was there a couple different cars going by stopped in the middle of the road so the drivers could look...there were squealing brakes and horns going off from the traffic behind them!

This is the overflow garden down below the main one. Linda and her husband just keep adding varieties, now numbering about 350.

Next to the overflow garden is the test garden. Linda lets the bees pollinate her dahlias and then saves some of the seed. She'll then start those seeds to see what kind of hybrids she'll get.
Yes, she is passionate about dahlias!

The main garden again, facing north.

I'm zooming you all in here. This is but a small section of one of the many rows of flowers.

And here are some random close-ups...

These are LARGE flowers, much bigger than my hand.

Ah, the face of perfection....

And here is the lovely Linda herself.

Of course I had to bring some home, shown here with the latest pears from our prolific trees--these are Asians and Boscs.

Finally...you knew this was inevitable!

10 comments :

Threadspider said...

I ADORE Dahlias. My new allotment neighbour has some beauties on her plot and has offered me some for next year. The ones in your pictures are superb and deserve becoming one of your works of art.

Marty52 said...

I love dahlias... sooo big and bright. I can't wait till you have these prints up for sale! Gah!

Sonji Hunt said...

Everyone loves dahlias! I'd be suspicious of someone who didn't. Thanks for sharing the great trip!

verobirdie said...

thanks for letting us start the day with such beautiful flowers!

Possibilities, Etc. said...

Oh yes to the final picture - what a gorgeous fabric that will make for your next floral CQ. I love dahlias, but growing them (or anything else that blooms) is next to impossible in Austin. thanks for sharing the beauty of those flowers!!

Sandra said...

Beautiful flowers and beautiful photography!

Rian said...

Ooh ooh ooh. How pretty. I love dahlias. So pretty. I love tuberous begonias too. Thanks for taking us there. Nice start to the day.

Granny Fran said...

Scrumptious Dahlias! My Mom used to grow Dahlias; and I love them, but, I don't want to take the time to plant and dig up the tubers each Spring and Fall. I suppose in your mild climate they can stay in the ground year around. Love your new arrangement.

Susan said...

What a lot of lovely Dahlias! I don't think I've ever seen that many together at one time. I love what you did at the bottom. The red is so rich, too.

Lawn Mowing Brisbane North said...

Really your flowers are very gorgeous.I love Dahlias. The pictures of your garden increases my passion towards it.