In a Vase, on Monday – Just Dahlias

Chris Mousseau

Since we adopted our two cats about a year ago, I’ve discovered that I can no longer have most plants or even vases of flowers in the house. They nibble (and sometimes chomp) on most green or living things, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, given our rural location and the number of mice that would love to call our home their home, especially in the winter. Many houseplants are poisonous to them; however, and many succulents, while not poisonous, seem to be very tasty. The upshot is I have a large Dracaena (Snake Plant) that they don’t touch and two Christmas Cacti, one up high and one half eaten. It’s a very sad sight.

Any vase of cut flowers I bring indoors must be small enough to sit on the kitchen windowsill, which the cats have, happily, yet to discover. I’m joining Cathy at Rambling in the Garden with a small vase with a few large Dahlia blooms.

I have half a dozen Dahlia varieties crammed into a much too small section of the kitchen garden this year and they’re bushier and blooming earlier than ever. The names are on tags somewhere in the jumble of lower leaves where I don’t really want to reach, given the spiders and earwigs and ants that have made homes there, but among today’s vase is the large central bloom, ‘Wyn’s Desert Sunrise,’ I think, plus ‘Ferncliff Tropics’ and ‘Ferncliff Spice.’ Might be a ‘Just Peachy’ as well.

Have a great week, everyone!

29 Comments

  2. That first photo is splendid. It makes me want to start growing dahlias right NOW! As for the cats, they do seem to have a taste for green. I finally got my to stop nibbling on the Christmas cactus by bringing her a container of organic wheat grass from the grocery every week, but otherwise? Nothing was safe.

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  4. Those colours go together so well, and since you have new kits, I guess you will be taking such blooms when you visit your friends. Enjoy playing with your new pets, and watching their antics.

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  6. I have a friend who has the same problem with her cats. But any time I can have just a vase of dahlias I have grown, I’ll take it. Gorgeous.

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  8. Haha, I have many plant labels buried under foliage too, although I do know most things with having to check, fortunately. Dahlias are such good value plants, and it is lovely to see your sunny grouping, Chris. Dahlia season is so bountiful!

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  10. Just dahlias! I can still only wish for them in my garden. My cat used to chomp on flower arrangements too but she’s an old lady now (16) and seems to have outgrown the habit. Maybe your cats will as well 😉

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  11. The Dahlias are beautiful! Amusing, for me, kitty stories…our two are over 16 years and have left all the indoor plants (about 50, including succulents) alone. In the fall, when you can see the plant tags…maybe make a plot plan? Fill in all the names.

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    1. Ha – so I just need to wait 10 years or so… LOL! It’s a great idea about the plot plan, for next year though, since these will all be lifted and brought indoors for winter storage. Thanks!

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    1. The good thing about Dahlias (and plants in general, I guess eh?) is there are always new ones to be given or to purchase every year – makes the garden different and keeps it evolving.

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  13. Dahlias are one of those stereotypically Italian American flowers that has been lacking from my garden for many years. (Brent refers to them as dago sunflowers.) I have postponed growing any of them until I can do so properly. They are so variable that when I finally do get around to growing them, it will be difficult to select varieties. I suspect that I will merely acquire them from friends and neighbors like bearded iris and such.

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