An ideal mistake and an unexpected vase

On my recent visit to Erin, The Impatient Gardener, I admired her 'Cafe au Lait' Dahlia. That's my hand stroking it below. For the first time ever, I planted a Dahlia this year. When I say "a Dahlia" I do mean only one. And it's in a pot, not the ground. I generally don't overwinter plants let alone tubers, so buying even one Dahlia is a big deal for me. But Dahlias are so beautiful and none more so than 'Cafe au Lait.'

I was excited to get home from our vacation to see a big fat bud on my Dahlia that was about to open. I picked up the pot with its massive plant to move it into a little more light. That's when I heard that big bud connect with the tree branches overhead. Yup, I snapped the bud right off with my carelessness.

But the next buds started opening quickly — into a soft peach Dahlia edged in yellow. Clearly there was a mix up in labeling/shipping my Dahlia. I should be mad since there's usually nothing more frustrating than waiting for a longed-for flower to bloom only to discover you don't have what you've been waiting for after all.

But given that one of my flower beds is filled with yellow Lilium leichtlini and the bed opposite has a swath of orange Lilium henryi, this mistaken Dahlia is the perfect color to tie my two borders together. I will be writing a thank-you note instead of an angry letter to the purveyor where I bought my Dahlia. And I'll also be asking him exactly what Dahlia am I growing?

Thursday night around 10 p.m. after the big storm had mostly ended, Mark took the lantern out to check for damage. The big pot holding the Dahlia in the upper garden managed to stay upright despite the wind and rain. The stems topped by big blooms unfortunately had bent and broken, so he came back into the house clutching two rain-soaked flowers.

I knew this silver vase was in the hall closet, so I grabbed a flashlight to locate it in the darkness as the power was still out. Plunked the Dahlias into it and there they remain. I don't think I would have cut them for indoors as they looked so well near the yellow and orange lilies. But now that they are in the house we've been moving the vase from room to room enjoying the Dahlias wherever we go.

To see what other gardeners have put in a vase this Monday visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this meme.

 

Comments

[Lisa at Greenbow]

This poor dahlia has had quite a time trying to flower. It looks gorgeous in this vase. I think dahlias are so pretty, they aren't fussy and they can make an impact. Your pretty peach dahlia is a delight.

[Linda from Each Little World]

It has been pretty painless to grow. I think I was supposed to do some pinching out to get more flowers. But I am very happy for my first Dahlia experience.

[Noelle]

Behind every cloud there is a silver lining...sorry about the cliche! And out of your silver vase the sunny Dahlia glows....Such a perfect arrangement, anything else would have been superfluous.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Noelle — ​Thanks for your comments. You are absolutely right about anything else being superfluous!

[Loree / danger garden]

So if you are able to get the correct name for your beautiful Dahlia will you order more?

[Linda from Each Little World]

Loree — ​Probably. Though it is my understanding that Dahlias make new tubers pretty quickly so I am hoping I won't have to actually spend any money to get more plants.

[Donna@Gardens Eye View]

Now that is one perfect dahlia in a stunning vase!

[Kris P]

It's a gorgeous dahlia, Linda, and it's clear it wants to bloom! Despite its beauty, I'd be irritated at the grower. Upon receipt of your gracious letter, I hope the grower sends you a 'Cafe au Lait' to make things right.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

Oh yes, that Dahlia looks fabulous in your garden. And it's perfect as a cut flower, too.

[Cathy]

It does indeed look perfect in that vase - and would you have cut it for a vase if the stems hadn't been broken...? Yes, I would email the seller with a photo of yours and make sure you get a Cafe au Lait for free from them next year. Well done on your success so far - I started with one but now add new favourites most years.

[Susie]

Too bad about the mix-up but your dahlia is quite gorgeous. 'Cafe au Lait' is lovely and I would like to grow it.

[Peter/Outlaw]

Poor dahlia. Whatever it is, it's a beauty and your silver vase is perfect for the blooms! I've been seeing 'Cafe au Lait' blooming in pots at local nurseries quite a bit this year and certainly understand its popularity.

[Frank]

It makes for a beautiful cut flower, and with dahlias the more you cut the more blooms you get, so win win?
I do like it with the lily, which btw is very impressive. Glad the storm didn't bring you anything worse than the one downed branch and a whole lot of tousled perennials.