Late summer miscellany
Jim McKenney (Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:42:55 PDT)

Rhodophiala bifida has a spathe up. Nearby grows Amaryllis belladonna: its
fist sized bulb sticks out of the ground and is rock hard, but there is no
sign of activity. Acis (Leucojum) autumnale is blooming in some local
gardens, but not yet in mine. And the first colchicums are up.

Last year I purchased two potted dahlias being sold as bedding plants. They
are representatives of a series named ‘Mystic’ dahlias, and (I’ve since
learned – isn’t Google great!) were raised in New Zealand by one Dr. Keith
Hammet

I’m not a dahlia enthusiast, but these plants are a bit different and caught
my eye. They have very dark, finely divided foliage and single flowers. Last
year I grew them in pots, but this year they are in the ground. They are
about three or four feet tall and the contrast between the bright flowers
and the dark foliage is very nice. The one named ‘Mystic Desire’ has intense
orange-red flowers and the one named ‘Mystic Illusion’ has yellow flowers
with a dark center. I didn’t plant these until the last week of June, and
they are just coming into their prime.

These are a very handsome addition to the late summer border.

Is anyone else growing these?

I noticed the there is a seed strain called ‘Bishop’s Children’ which might
be somewhat similar to these ‘Mystic’ dahlias. Does anyone know or grow it?

Jim McKenney

jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com

Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone
7

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