September, 1906 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



183 



Decorated Dahlia " May 



Single Dahlia " Fedora " 



Pompon Dahlia " Little Bessy 



opened up. The precise origin of this type is somewhat 

 mysterious. In 1872 a gardener in Holland received from 

 Mexico a box of dahlias, most of which had been ruined 

 through long delay in transit. One of them, however, devel- 

 oped into a cactus dahlia, the first one known to European 

 gardeners. From this single plant numerous modern varie- 

 ties have been developed, the form being introduced into 

 England about 1880. By careful selection in the hands of 

 many growers the blossoms have been constantly improved, 

 and very soon we may expect a flower which is extremely 

 desirable for many purposes. At present most of the cactus 

 dahlias do not last long as cut flowers; but this quality is 

 being improved, and the flowers are so beautiful for interior 

 decoration as well as for garden adornment that one can 

 afford to renew a supply in the flower-jars at frequent inter- 

 vals. This dahlia is extremely desirable for growing in 

 borders along fences as well as for the spaces between low 

 shrubbery. There are many beautiful varieties varying 

 greatly in color. One of the best of recent introductions is 

 Kriemhilde, of a beautiful pink color lighter in the center. 

 Another beautiful sort is Countess of Lonsdale, which is a 

 most profuse bloomer and of a glorious pinkish-red color. 



The decorative dahlias have not the bizarre beauty of 

 form shown by the cactus sorts, but they are, nevertheless, 

 attractive in a quiet way, and are useful for cutting as well as 

 for growing in a border garden. Although it has frequently 

 been predicted that they would go out of cultivation in com- 

 petition with the cactus forms, many new and beautiful varie- 

 ties are introduced every year and the catalogues continue to 

 give long lists of sorts, an indication that they are holding 

 their own in popular favor. 



The single dahlias are among the most striking blossoms 



produced in modern gardens. The flowers are of immense 

 size, with the broad petals of the ray-florets furnishing a 

 ground for the most lavish display of color. The flowers are 

 so large that they attract attention from a considerable dis- 

 tance, and consequently may be utilized along walls and fences 

 which are too far away from the garden-paths to be adorned 

 by plants with smaller flowers. The variety called "twentieth 

 century" is one of the most striking of recent introductions. 

 The plant is tall, reaching a height of five feet, while the 

 flowers commonly reach a diameter of six or seven inches, 

 presenting an interesting combination of rose color and white. 



For decorative grace that renders them of extraordinary 

 value for use as cut flowers none of the dahlias can compare 

 with the single cactus forms. There is an element of beauty 

 about these that reminds one of the orchids, and their long 

 petals display some of the most delicate colors imaginable. 

 Any one who aspires to a representative collection of dahlias 

 should certainly plant some of this type, of which "Lord 

 Goff" is one of the best varieties. 



As is always the case with a flower which is leaping into 

 popularity, some types are introduced which have merely the 

 value of oddity, but in which the real beauty of the flower 

 has been sacrificed. In the case of the dahlia this is illus- 

 trated in the French collarette dahlias which have lately been 

 largely advertised as a desirable novelty. No one with a dis- 

 criminating sense of the beauty of flowers would care to plant 

 these monstrosities a second season. We may expect a very 

 different result from the splendid new dahlias which are being 

 introduced from the wonderful gardens of Luther Burbank, 

 and every one will desire to grow a few specimens of these 

 new varieties, which Mr. Burbank says are so valuable. In a 

 year or two we may find them blooming in every garden. 



