Learn about dahlias April 29 at SRHS

John Wonnacott will be giving a talk on dahlias on April 29 at 7 p.m. at the Shelburne Regional High School. "I think one of the reasons that I like dahlias so much, is because of the nearly infinite number of different varieties that are available,” he said during an email interview.

Most gardeners know about dinner-plate dahlias, those that have blooms larger than a person's head, but dahlia blooms come in all sizes. They run the range from massive ones that can measure 15 inches in width and over a foot in depth, to miniature flowers no more than an inch across.

Dahlias also grow in at least 18 recognized forms, from decorative (formal and informal), to cactus, semi-cactus, ball, mini-ball and pompon. Most forms have many rows of petals, but one of the more exquisite variations is the collarette, which has a single row of eight petals along with an accompanying row of eight petaloids. These resemble small petals and often occur in beautifully contrasting colors to compliment the color of the main petals.

There are orchid forms, novelty, single and mignon, with smoothly curved petal shapes - or fimbriated petals. Each different combination presents a new and attractive variation on the dahlia form. “I have met some old-time gardeners who believe all dahlias are a uniform dark red color, but nothing could be further from the truth,” said Wonnacott.

He says the stunning range of colors and color combinations that are available in dahlia blooms, often overwhelms the first-time dahlia grower.

They range from pure white to a red so dark one would swear it was black. There is every shade of pink and orange, as well as purple and lavender. Dahlias grow well in a wide range of climates, requiring very little attention and are well suited to Maritime weather conditions. They can be pruned, staked and carefully tended - and each bit of attention will result in a further enhancement of the plant.

Wonnacott, who works as an independent consulting engineer, learned about growing dahlias from his father who learned from his father. His grandfather, returning from World War One as a 21 year-old veteran, brought back a few tubers in his kitbag as a gift for his father.

These days Wonnacott grows about 50 plants, a great reduction from the 400 or so that he grew a few years ago.

He plans on providing advice on buying new tubers, starting them, and tending them. “Come and be prepared to ask questions and meet other gardeners. There is no charge,” he said.