Dahlia Information Booklet 2020/21 2020 - DAHLIA BLUEBERRY HILL - Aylett Nurseries
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DAHLIA
BLUEBERRY
HILL
Dahlia Information Booklet
2020/21
North Orbital Road (A414)
St. Albans
Hertfordshire
AL2 1DH
2020
Tel: 01727 822255
Fax: 01727 823024
E-mail: info@aylettnurseries.co.uk
Web: www.aylettnurseries.co.uk
The
Dahlia Collection
We would like to thank our many dahlia customers and enthusiasts for their
continued support during the situation we found ourselves in the spring of
2020, that was unprecedented in our 65 years of trading history. The
propagation of our young plants was severely disrupted by the Covid-19 lock
down, subsequently social distancing plus the lack of staff at this crucial
propagation time severely curtailed the number of varieties available to
purchase. We are sure many of you were disappointed by the availability of
many varieties when we were finally allowed to open our doors, but our
priority had to be our stock plants for the field enabling us to produce a crop
of dahlias for 2021 and the subsequent years to follow.
The dahlias were all planted on time (the first week of June), we then had a
period of intense heat followed by humid conditions. This led to the
conditions just right for mildew to take hold which we found very hard to
control but this did not diminish the spectacle of the dahlia field.
Our planned expansion of the wild flower border was also affected by the
pandemic and work had to stop, which is why the land at the bottom of the
garden remains uncultivated, rest assured that this will be put to rights in
2021.
In August and September, with the various restrictions that were necessary
we were pleased to offer our many customers the freedom of outside
catering in a designated marquee plus an outside picnic area complete with
a portable coffee bar. The celebration garden gave hours of enjoyment to
many and hopefully inspiration to our gardening public.
As horticulturists, we always look forward to next year, so a big thank you for
your continued support and happy gardening.Dahlia plants will be available to purchase in 11cm pots from early May to the middle of June 2021. Please call us on 01727 822255 to check availability before you visit if there are particular varieties you are hoping to purchase. The Abbreviation AGM after the cultivar name indicates that the variety has been awarded an Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. These awards are made to plants that have been submitted to trial at the RHS trial grounds around the United Kingdom. Plants that do not have this award may not have been be submitted to the selection process and are therefore not eligible for the AGM but possibly have the same garden merits. Size of Flowers Certain classifications have been subdivided depending on the size of the flower - these are as follows: Miniature Flowered These cultivars have blooms usually not exceeding 100mm (4.ins) in diameter. Small Flowered These cultivars have blooms usually between 100mm (4ins) and 150mm (6ins). Medium Flowered These cultivars have blooms usually between 150mm (6ins) and 200mm (8ins). Large Flowered These cultivars have blooms usually between 200mm (8ins) and 250mm (10ins). Giant Flowered These cultivars have blooms usually over 250mm (10ins) in diameter. Height The heights given in the list are a guide only; the ultimate height will depend upon weather conditions and position in the garden.
The Symbol * after the cultivar name indicates that this variety can be found in the Celebration Garden
rather than the A-Z of the field.
Dahlia List 2021 Blue Bayou *
Alva’s Doris AGM Anemone centred
U Small-flowered Cactus Height- 60cm
Height – 120cm Lavender purple with darker cushioned
Deepest blood red. Prize winning centre. Free flowering. Lovely addition to
cultivar that is very free flowering. the border.
Alva’s Supreme AGM Blueberry Hill
Giant-flowered Decorative U Collerette
Height – 120cm Height – 105cm
Delightful yellow flowers. Suitable for White collar, cerise petals edged with white.
One of our Customers Favourites 2020
exhibition.
Raised by the late Ken stock.
Arabian Night
Small Decorative Blyton Softer Gleam
Height - 105cm Small Ball
Deep red, very free flowering, an old Height – 120cm
garden variety. Lovely soft orange with paler base.
Audacity
U Medium-flowered Decorative Café au Lait
Height - 120cm Giant Decorative
Rosy pink, mauve and white blends. Height – 120cm
Large flowers of creamy, peach shades
Barbarry Banker
U Miniature-flowered Decorative
Cameo
Height- 120cm
Waterlily
Bright peachy pink blooms, ideal cut
Height – 120cm
flower.
Beautifully formed cream flowers
Bishop of Llandaff AGM with yellow base.
Paeony flowered Carstone Firebox *
Height – 90cm Collerette
Bright crimson blooms of 9cm (3ins)
Height – 90cm
diameter over dark bronze foliage.
Blends of orange red and peach.
One of the oldest cultivars available and
Very free flowering.
justifiably popular with our visitors.Chat Noir (Black Cat) AGM Fascination AGM *
U Medium-flowered Semi-Cactus Paeony Dwarf Bedder
Height – 120cm Height – 60cm
Very dark red blooms, free flowering. Peony flowered with dark bronze foliage
An old variety from Mrs Aylett’s garden. which accentuates the light rosy purple
of the flower.
Chimborazo
U Collerette Fidalgo Supreme
Height – 120cm U Large-flowered Decorative
Dark maroon with a yellow collar and Height – 120cm
disc. Quality flowers – mid yellow, good for
exhibition.
Crème de Cassis
Waterlily Finchcocks AGM
Height – 60cm U Waterlily
Pale lilac with deeper purple. Height – 120cm
Suitable for front of border or Shades of salmon orange.
containers. Very free flowering.
David Howard AGM Fire Mountain
Miniature-flowered Decorative Miniature flowered Decorative
Height - 120cm Height – 105cm
Lovely burnt orange blooms on dark Brightest of reds on nearly black foliage.
foliage. A very popular variety for the
border. Formby Art
Small Decorative
Dawn Sky Height - 120cm
U Small-flowered Decorative Stylish globular white blooms with pink
Height – 120cm tips. Very strong growth.
Shell pink bloom, long stem. Ideal cut
flower cultivar. Gloire Van Heemstede
AGM Waterlily
Dikara Superb Height-135cm
Miniature Decorative Primrose yellow blooms, extremely free
Height – 120cm flowering. An old variety but still good.
Lovely sugar pink.Hadrian’s Midnight * Irish Glow
Single Flowered Pompom
Height – 1m Height – 120cm
Deep red with dark centres on dark Lovely bright orange with good
foliage. Raised by our friends at Halls of formation.
Heddon.
Jescot Julie
Double Orchid-flowered
Hadrian’s Sunlight * Height – 90cm
Single Flowered Orchid flowered with blooms 5-10cm
Height – 90cm in diameter. Burnt orange with plum
Masses of yellow flowers. Very attractive reverse; with fewer than normal petals,
to bees and butterflies. being of unusual formation.
Ideal for floral artists.
Hamari Accord AGM
Named for Julie Aylett in 1974.
Large flowered Semi-Cactus
Height – 120cm Kenora Macop
Broad petalled clear yellow blooms carried Medium Fimbriated Cactus
on stems well above foliage. Height -150cm
Stunning velvety red flowers.
Hillcrest Firecrest
U Small Decorative Kenora Valentine
Height – 120cm. U Large Decorative Dahlia
Bright yellow with orange red tips. Height – 125cm.
Good border variety. Bright orange red with well-formed
One of our Customers Favourites 2020.
blooms.
Hillcrest Royal AGM
Kens Rarity
Medium Cactus
Waterlily
Height - 120cm
Height – 120cm
Richest purple flowers that stand out in the
Sugar pink with a yellow base. Very free
border. flowering. A good border variety.
Honka AGM Kilburn Glow
Star Waterlily
Height – 90cm Height -120cm
Single yellow star-shaped flowers. Magenta rose with lemon base.
A Butterflies dream. Very popular for exhibition and cut
flowers. Once again, our top customers
favourite in 2020L’Ancresse Mayan Pearl AGM
Miniature Ball U Double Orchid
Height – 105cm Raised by the late Ken Stock
White with a very faint lavender flush if Height – 90cm
any at all. Silvery pink flowers. Very free flowering.
A lovely Dahlia for the border.
L.A.T.E
Miniature Ball Moonfire AGM *
Height – 150cm Single Dwarf Bedder
Orange and peach blends. Very free Height – 60cm
flowering. Deep gold flowers with vermillion centre
usually 6cms in diameter, bronze foliage.
Mabel Ann A must for any border.
Giant-flowered Decorative
Height – 105cm Ms Kennedy
Huge blooms of apricot with pale Large Pompom
yellow centre. Height – 120cm
Rich flame orange. A strong grower,
Madame Stappers * remove dead heads to prolong flowering.
U Dwarf Paeony
Height 60cm Murillo *
Bright scarlet flowers on dark foliage, U Single Dwarf Bedder
very free flowering, an old variety. Height – 45cm
We also feature this variety in the front Bright lilac pink blooms with darker eye.
border. Very free flowering. Makes a showy
addition to the border.
Magenta Magenta *
U Miniature-flowered Decorative Nargold
Raised by the late Ken Stock Medium-flowered Fimbriated Cactus
Height- 60cm Height – 105cm
Rich magenta flowers. Very free Rich orange blooms with yellow flush at
flowering. Good for the front of the base. Fimbriated petals. Very striking.
border.
Nenekazi
Maika Girl * Medium-flowered Fimbriated
U Miniature-flowered Decorative Height – 120cm
Raised by the late Ken Stock Blends of pale bronze and pinks.
Height - 75cm An unusual eye-catching variety.
A very pretty mixture of lilac and white.Oretti Bliss Ruth Ann
Small Cactus U Miniature Ball
Height - 120cm Height - 120cm
Superb white blooms of excellent form. A Bright orange. Very strong stems, ideal for
good exhibition variety. cutting.
Park Princess * Ryecroft Jim *
Dwarf Bedder Anemone
Height 60cm Height - 90cm
Double pink cactus flowers with lighter Cerise flowers with a gold cushion centre.
centre.
Ryecroft Laura
Pasodoble Miniature Ball
Anemone Flowered Height – 120cm
Height – 105cm Intense Yellow blooms with good form.
Bright yellow central tubular florets, Suitable for exhibition.
which are fimbriated, surrounded by
flattened ring of pale-yellow outer petals. Sam Hopkins
U Waterlily
Pooh AGM Height - 105cm
Collerette Unique blackberry red flowers.
Height – 100cm A very lovely dahlia.
Scarlet tipped yellow blooms, with a
yellow collar. A real eye catcher. Shandy
Small-flowered Semi-Cactus
Preston Park AGM * Height – 105cm
Single Dwarf Bedder Sparkling shades of apricot and salmon.
Height - 45cm Early flowering
Bright scarlet blooms, nearly black foliage.
Sheval Megan
Roxy * Small-flowered Decorative
U Single, Dwarf Bedder Height – 120cm
Height - 45cm Vivid red unfading blooms.
Lovely single magenta/purple flowers on Excellent form. Wonderful cut flowers on
dark foliage. Very eye catching strong stems.
Royal Blood * Sir Alf Ramsey
U Collerette Giant-flowered Decorative
Raised by the late Ken stock Height – 105cm
Height – 105cm Immense blooms of Lavender-Pink
Deep velvet red petals with yellow centre with a white base.Small World AGM
Twynings After Eight AGM
Pompon
Single
Height – 105cm
Height - 100cm
Perfectly formed white pompon.
White single flowers with a hint of pale
Sorbet pink. Very attractive contrast in a mixed
Medium Semi-cactus border.
Height – 120cm
White with heavily tipped petals of rosy
Weston Pirate AGM
Miniature-flowered Cactus
purple. Ruby red. Very free flowering.
Height – 1m
Spartacus Deep blood red blooms suitable for
Large-flowered Decorative exhibition or borders, very free flowering.
Height – 120cm
Dark velvety red with pointed reflex
White Alva’s AGM
Giant-flowered Decorative
petals. A superb variety.
Height – 120cm
Suffolk Punch Lovely white formal blooms, suitable for
Medium flowered decorative exhibition.
Height - 120cm
Wine red with dark bronze foliage.
White Ballet AGM
Waterlily
Terrie Bandey Height – 120cm
Fimbriated Pure white blooms freely produced.
Height - 105cm A must for floral artists!
Amber fimbriated flowers of good depth.
White Swallow
Tomo Small cactus
Small-flowered Decorative Height – 50cm
Height – 135cm Superb white flowers, a good cut flower
Purple, heavily tipped white. Very free variety.
flowering.
Trelyn Seren *
Single Star
Height - 105cm
Pale Pink with yellow centre. Very
attractive to Bees. Cut when flowers are
young.The Aylett Recipe for Best Results… Dahlias grow best in a water-retentive soil but one that drains freely. They flower prolifically when planted in a sunny site sheltered from strong winds. The soil preparation should begin during the winter with plenty of organic matter being dug into the soil. Ideally the following spring at about 3-4 weeks before planting a slow acting fertilizer such as Bonemeal should be forked into the soil. Spacing Dahlias require plenty of room to develop, ideally 60cm-90cm (2ft -3ft) between plants, the larger the flower the larger the space. The Bedding Dahlias require less space and can be planted as close as 22cm-30cm (9-12ins) these then can be grown without staking although if the site is prone to winds they will benefit from short canes between the plants. Planting Out Dahlias should not be planted out until all fear of frosts is past; normally this is the end of May beginning of June. All sites differ and its best to keep an ear to your local forecasts, often a covering of frost protection material is all it needs to prevent your plants from being damaged. Before planting water, the young plants well. Plant in a good quality compost, firstly, because it retains moisture to help plant growth, and secondly, when the tuber is lifted in autumn, compost falls away, leaving a clean tuber. Make a hole 20cm square and 20cms deep and put in half a bucket of compost and mix with a small quantity of Fish, Blood and Bone (about a dessert spoon full). Make sure this is well mixed with the compost so that the roots of the plant are not in direct contact. Insert a strong cane or stake into the hole. Remove the plant from the pot taking care not to disturb the root ball. With a hand trowel, place the plant next to the stake and firm in well. Plant so that the final soil level is just below the lowest leaves – and give a good soaking with water. Remember to label each plant. Tying up immediately after planting is a good idea and will protect the young plants from strong winds that might cause damage. It is also a good idea to apply a dressing around the plant with a mulch. On the nursery we use a product called Strulch which we highly recommend. It not only keeps the moisture from evaporating but also discourages slugs, suppresses weeds and has the added advantage of improving the soil structure for the next season. It is available to purchase from the garden centre in the compost area.
Stopping
‘Stopping’ is the removal of the growing tip when about four pairs of
leaves have been formed. Nip out the tip just above the third pair of
leaves but avoid squashing the stem.
Strong side shoots will develop at the leaf joints, to form the
framework of the plant. Plants have often been stopped by us
before you purchase so as to produce a stronger plant. If you are
planning to exhibit and like to regulate your stopping times,
unstopped plants are usually available.
Growing on and Feeding
As the season progresses it is beneficial to feed with a good foliar feed such as
Miracle Gro or Maxicrop seaweed plant stimulant, as these high potash feeds will help
with tuber formation.
Dahlias suffer from the usual garden pests, Earwigs being the one most closely
associated with the genus. We here at St Albans never find this to be a great problem
but a spraying program carried out on a regular basis will prevent an outbreak of
undesirable pests. Massed borders in parks and gardens produce magnificent displays
without the use of pesticides just leaving Mother Nature to her own devices. If you
must spray do so in the evening when the bees have finished their work for the day.
Towards the end of the season especially if it has been hot and dry Dahlias can be
infected with mildew. This takes the form of a white powdery covering on the leaves
and stems, to combat this disease spray every two weeks with Fungus Fighter.
Always read the label! When using Pesticides and Fertilisers, always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Disbudding
Disbudding is the removal of the buds that form at the leaf axils; this
has the effect of producing long stemmed quality blooms. As a
general rule the first two pairs of buds below the terminal bud are
removed. The number of buds or growths removed will influence the
size of the flower. This process is necessary if you intend to exhibit
your Dahlias.
For a good garden display disbudding is not always necessary. As
each terminal bud flowers and becomes past its best, carefully remove it to allow the
side shoots to develop All old flowers should be removed to encourage further side
buds to develop and flower.Lifting and Storing of Tubers
Dahlia tubers should not be lifted until after a frost. They should be cut down to 6ins
from soil level and carefully dug up. Take care not to damage the crown as it is from
this point that next year’s shoots emerge.
Tubers should be dried and it is advisable to stand them upside down in order to allow
moisture in the stems to drain away. Ideally, they should be put in wooden boxes,
packed with dry peat, vermiculite, straw or even newspaper to stop them drying out
and kept in a frost-free place. Most garden sheds and garages are not frost proof.
They should not be kept in too warm a place as they will shrivel or a cold damp
situation where they will rot. It is advisable to examine tubers several times in the
winter and if, any trace of rot is found, they should be treated with a protection
fungicide.
Please share your photos
The Celebration Garden #celebrationgarden
– Open all Year – @aylettnurseries
As part of our celebrations for our 60 years as a Nursery and Garden Centre, in 2015 we
created a special garden within our Dahlia Field. Called the Celebration Garden its aim was
to demonstrate just how versatile and valuable Dahlias can be when planted in a garden.
The Celebration Garden raises funds for the National Garden Scheme, in 2020 we raised
£1,300! Thank you for your generosity. For more information visit nsg.org.uk
Our Celebration Garden is located adjacent to the Garden Centre, and can be accessed through
the gates at the top end of our car park, during our usual opening hours.You can also read
