Hold the phone, wait, not just yet! Summer isn’t over quite yet. In spite of the first hints of fall colors peeking through the cooler mornings, geese stirring in the skies and rain in the weather forecast for next week, there are still some really bright late summer flowers in peak bloom. This late? Yup, it’s the peak of the dahlia season.
On Saturday September 4, 2010, my wife and I joined Don and Susan Rogers for a trip to Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon. While visiting a dahlia farm may sound pretty low key, this was quite a production. There were hundreds of people at the farm when we arrived and this major event was in full swing.
Picnic by the field.
There was a large indoor display of all the different kinds of dahlias they raise and a huge variety of dahlia arrangements. In another building there was an arrangement competition going on as well as talks on raising dahlias. There was several food vendors and a nice picnic area to help curb the hunger after wandering through 40 acres of dahlias in full bloom.
Rows of Color
There is such a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes of dahlias and this farm boast 350 varieties. There was everything from tiny 2-in pom poms to large “dinner plate” size which get over 12-inches in diameter.
Betty Ann
Dr Les
This is something you really have to see to begin to take in the overwhelming beauty. It’s no wonder so many people show up for this event every year. You can learn more on their website: http://www.dahlias.com/
Cool Paint Job!
Here is just a very small sample of what we saw:
Barn Bounty
Duet
Rawhide
Outta Da Blue
Koppertone
Heather Marie
Bashful
Bee Happy
Bunny Hop
Bumble Rumble
Wildcat
Very Berry
Fall Fiesta
Rip City
Orange A Peel
Pari Taha Sunrise
Tyler James
Emory Paul
Margaret Ellen
I hope this bring a little joy and color to your day. Keep looking for the beauty in life wherever you can find it.
Dennis
Ringo
Dallying in the Dahlias 