Friday, September 30, 2011

Queen Of The Autumn Garden

Last weekend, we passed a house with just one dahlia in the front yard. I was excited, I have never seen a dahlia before! They are known as "The Queen Of The Autumn Garden", and I can see why. This bloom was about the size of my head, and notice how the petals have almost brush strokes on them. The dahlia is the official emblem of Mexico, because it was first cultivated there by the ancient Aztecs. They used the roots to treat epilepsy and many other ailments. And until insulin was discovered, diabetics were given a substance made from dahlia tubers. There are more than 30 species and 20,000 cultivars. They are presented at engagement parties and weddings because they symbolize an everlasting union between two people.



"I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing."
John 15:5

30 comments:

Regina said...

Oh I like that "no one should desicate his art by cutting them apart" Quite informative too. You know I had a landlord once who grew them. Where he lived there was much more dirt because it happens to be an area with a much older lava flow. Anyway, they were maroon..like these- just something I never forget! Gorgeous Ginny-

Annie Jeffries said...

This summer, at the county fair, I saw dahlias the size of dinner plates. Stunning.

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh Ginny, I really like the color of this dahlia. They are one of the most beautiful flowers for both summer and fall.

When I lived in GA we would drive to the mountains on a fall weekend to visit a dahlia farm. As far as the eye could see there were dahlias of all colors. I wonder if it is still there?

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Dahlias grow very well in our gardens in New Zealand and Malaysia.

Anonymous said...

Stunning blooms!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Golly gal, its like someone watercolored each petal. Stunning bloom and photograph.

Bobbie said...

Beautiful! And what interesting history...

Sharon said...

That is truly awesome! I have never seen one so beautiful!

LC said...

Dahlias are so beautiful and you captured the colors in this one beautifully. Thanks for dropping by my blog. We are in yhe process now of purchasing the L300 for below the knee.So I will be "shocking" every day!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

wow Ginny.....that dalia is totally a queen...beautiful. have a great weekend out there.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Queen is an appropriate title.THis one is spectacular.

Reanaclaire said...

So beautiful is this queen dahlia.. now is spring.. the flowers are still blooming?

Fred Alton said...

Honest, Ginny! You get the most spectacular photos for your header shots and have an incredible sense of pulling things together to teach lessons with God's Word. Love it.

Rose said...

This is so beautiful!!!! I have never noticed one this color/s before...

Anonymous said...

Ginny, this is absolutely STUNNING!! We have dahlias, but I've never seen this variety, nor have I ever seen a bloom this large. WOW! =)

Stephanie V said...

Amazing color on this dahlia. A friend mine has a dahlia-growing business and there are some very beautiful varieties - you've found one of them.

DawnTreader said...

I love dahlias. My mum always used to have them in the garden. They had to be dug up each late autumn and kept in the cellar over winter and then planted again in the spring. They used to bloom just in time for mine and dad's birthday at the end of August. Now I live not far from a park where there are lots of different colours of dahlias in the late summer and autumn, so I go there to enjoy them.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

This is the queen! Gorgeous. My grandfather had a dahlia garden when I was a kid many years ago. I have not grown them (thought they were too difficult?)

Marie said...

Every time I think you've posted the most beautiful flower...you post another! I want these flowers! :) Sooo Beautiful!
Very interesting history, I'll share it with my Grandma...she's diabetic.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, I like Dahlia's very much. They primarily grow from corms, which are like bulbs. They are great for sunny warm spots. They do not like cold weather at all. Have a wonderful evening and a super Sunday tomorrow!

Chatty Crone said...

Your header is Heavenly - so how did you know when you saw that flower it was so different? Are you a flower expert? sandie

GORGEOUS!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos and very interesting information. I learned something new today.


Have a nice day Ginny :-)

& BTW, thanks for your recent comment on my WCS post. ~Ron

LV said...

One of my favorite flowers. I love them as they are so pretty and easy to grow. Also, they come back each year.

Anonymous said...

Oh, these are so beautiful! Love the colours. Seeing your pictures, I'm longing to grow them again!! Your photos are delightful!!

George said...

These dahlias are absolutely beautiful. I used to grow dahlias when I lived in Ohio, but I don't think I had any as gorgeous as these.

MadSnapper said...

Ok, now I know I have never seen a Dalhia either, this is so beautiful. She is the queen, but third up from bottom is a lady in waiting, I know that because she has that beautiful skirt hanging down, could also be a ballerina. i want one.. great shots Ginny, thanks for introducing me. the petals are so detailed, love it

Joanne said...

No painting could be prettier! I have never seen these flowers; I will certainly try to find some to plant for next year.
Blessings, Joanne

Anonymous said...

off white hoodie outlet
bape
kd 12
bapesta
paul george shoes
off white jordan
supreme clothing
bape hoodie
off white nike
off white clothing

Anonymous said...

gucci replica handbags b61 l6n47v4x70 replica bags v07 k1g15a2w64 replica louis vuitton i68 h1t11b1n64

Anonymous said...

bape
hermes
jordans
off white
kyrie 7
off white clothing
a bathing ape
supreme hoodie
kyrie 7
bape outlet

The Kitchen

 Oh my! I am so late posting my Christmas decorations! So I will replace Sunday sunset with the kitchen ones. Next post will be the living r...