Within hours my Mom will be here from the cold and snow of Canada, and I’ve picked some Dahlias, Thalictrum, and Hydrangeas for her. The Dahlias haven’t done all that well so far this year – the early hot dry spell followed by rainy weather at Christmas has left them a little tattered, but there is plenty of time left for better blooms.
Star Jasmine adds scent.
Satsuma plums are ripening and one early Louisa plum reflects the crimson and purple colours in the flowers.
A storm is coming tomorrow from Australia, so the rain should cut the heat a little and ease the transition between Canadian winter and New Zealand summer.
Absent Gardener 
These are glorious. I love the colours. Enjoy spring?
Thank you 🙂
Gorgeously rich colours in your vase today Cath. Enjoy your time with your mum – so special. The Dahlia has a fabulous colour and form, which one is it?
Hi Christina, thanks! This dahlia is the one which I picked up at the rubbish dump a few years ago. There were 2 big clumps and I took one and the woman who was working at the dump took the other. Then I regretted my scavenging and assumed that it must be undesirable or weedy and left it sitting around outside for ages before grudgingly giving it a space amongst the weeds. I was so surprised when it triumphed over the weeds and had such lovely strong flowers. So I guess it’s likely to be an older variety.
My best Dahlia is the first one I ever bought. It was really cheap and a tiny tuber but in its first year it produced more than a hundred huge blooms. Even as I write that I know it doesn’t sound possible but it’s true.
Gorgeous, have fun.
Thank you!
The thalictrum is a great frothy addition (why did I never think to use mine when it was in bloom?!) and the dahlias and hydrangea look so sumptuous together. Hope you and your Mum have a most enjoyable time together – how long will she be staying? What is the Canada connection?
I love that thalictrum. It’s still not the most robust plant for me, especially in dry weather, but it seems to be doing OK. Mom will stay for 6 weeks – until Autumn comes here and she can return to Spring. I’m a Canadian who married a Kiwi 🙂
Ah, so how long have you been in NZ? How often do you get to see your Canadian family?
I have been here for well over half my life now, hard as it is for me to believe. I don’t get back often but my Mom visits.
Beautiful jewel tones in your vase and the scent of star jasmine must bring it to life. Hope your mum enjoys!
Thank you! The star jasmine is quite strong if you get close to it, but not too cloying.
What lovely rich colours, how lovely to have these jewel like flowers in bloom in January.
Thank you 😊
What a gorgeous dahlia, and a beautiful combination Cath! Your Mum will no doubt love it. Hope your Mum’s stay with you is a wonderful time for you both! 🙂
Thank you Cathy 🙂
Enjoy your visit with your mom! I hope she enjoys the lovely summer blooms you’ve cut too.
Thank you 😊 she loves Dahlias – I hope the rain that’s due brings on a good flush of flowers.
Lucky mom.
🙂
That color combination is delicious. Mother/daughter time is precious…enjoy!
Thank you, I will 🙂
What a lovely welcome for your Mother…you’ll have such good times together. Those flowers will surely be one of the memories she will hold dear.
I love those dark colours. The thalictrum sets them off.