One of the best garden blogs around is
The Middle-Sized Garden

Yes, it is based in the U.K. so of course discusses gardens over there. But the information is, I have found, so very universal. Plus, I come away with so many new places I want to visit!

Go to the home page and look around. See what you think.

Last week Alexandra did a video chat all about growing dahlias. Listen to how the Brits pronounce this flower: dahlias with the ‘a’ being a long one. Do you like it?
I found this video talk so informative even though I have grown dahlias for years. But watch it until the end: I love the way they discuss companion plants for dahlias. I’ve now started thinking of next spring and making certain I plant some sun loving dahlias right with my cannas. Somehow I never saw those two together before!!

 

This is the only dahlia I’ve grown this year…sadly. These came to me from many family generations and I do treasure them! I dig up some of the tubers each fall but also leave some in the ground for the winter. In this climate it doesn’t really seem to make a difference (sigh of relief!)

dahlias

It’s a busy time in the garden…but oh, it is looking so ragged. The zinnia leaves have mildew and look awful; the lichnys brought back as seeds from Hidcote are looking terrible and bedraggled; even the verbena bonariensis is brown despite a severe cutting back in July.
On the other hand, my gardenias are beautiful and the hibiscus thriving!

How about you? If you’re in a cooler climate then your garden might be faring better?