I am being very fickle in my appreciation of Dahlias. Last year I was smitten by Chat Noir with its sumptuous decadent purple cactus flowers. I still have Chat Noir and it is doing very well but it has been overtaken in my affections by Swan Lake.
Instead of being particular and buying the tuber from the National Dahlia Collection I bought Swan Lake from the local garden centre in one of those plastic bag packets which have obviously been shipped in from Holland. I was won over by the artful photo. Unlike the other purchase I made at the same time (Dahlia Smartie- which is a sickly plant with few flowers, and those that do appear are hideous) Swan Lake has exceeded my expectations. The foliage is dark, not quite as dark as the Twynings Series but still very attractive. The plant is about 4ft high and has quite a sprawling nature so there are flower stems popping up behind other plants.
What I really like about Dahlia Swan Lake is how floriferous it is and also the creaminess of the flowers. They aren’t that startling white you sometimes get which can jar out of the border, the creamy undertones help the flowers to work well with the surrounding yellows of Bidens and Helianthus Lemon Queen. The simplicity of the flower is also quite appalling.
So this is my new favourite Dahlia, I wonder if it will be replaced in my affections by something else next year!
Swan Lake is a sweetie, I agree. Sometimes white can seem harsh, and that creamy quality is very nice. My dahlia favorites are the hot pinks and purples – fell in love with ‘Dad’s Favorite’ this year, but dark leaved ‘Fascination’ is still my forever pick…
Is that a dark purple Penstemon in front of the Dahlia? Rather beautiful!
I have been surprised how well D. Bishop of Leicester has performed. When I was reviewing planting combinations I noticed it had been flowering in June and has continued until now; it has also required little water which is always a plus point for me.
Hi Helen,
Very nice indeed, I think I had Swan Lake last year, but being the person I am I didn’t bother to keep them somewhere dry so don’t have any this year.
It does look very nice and certainly helps bring out the border at this time of year. I imagine it also looks very pretty in the morning/evening light!
You are right about Swan Lake – it is the slate black leaf against the shimmering white. I love it reminds me of biting into After Eights (which I used to think were the height of sophistication) I am putting you on my blog roll I hope that is not a breach of etiquette.
Oh dear, now there’s yet another Dahlia demanding my attention – and I was already having to consider ‘David Howard’… My current favourite is ‘Hillcrest Royal’ though, closely followed by ‘Bishop of Auckland’ for apparently endless flowers and gorgeous foliage.
I must admit that I do like the darker dahlias but I think that I might be tempted to dabble with this one in the future. Sometimes those Dutch plastic bags yield real goodies.
Ah dahlias! I so admire you for growing them. Here, too much work for me. I would have to dig them up. Good thing I can enjoy yours!
Dear Helen, Oh yes, D.’Swan Lake’ would definitely have a place in my affections. The purity of its form, glorious foliage and pretty colour have won me over instantly. This must be added to my Dahlia collection and I thank you for the introduction.
Hello Helen – Dahlias are making a comeback in gardeners’ affections and Swan Lake would certainly be one to seek favouritism. Looks lovely in your border’s planting plan
Laura
omg, that is a beautiful dahlia but it’s the Dierama’s behind them (that is what they are, right?) that is making me swoon! How I would love to have them in my garden. Envy, env,y envy going on behind this screen right now!
kathleen – the purple flowers are Penstemons not Dieramas which are pretty easy to grow
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