02 August 2012 20:32:23
Dahlia merckii
Dahlia merckii did fairly well for me this year, as it does not like to dry out. There is no fear of this at present. Some consider it can be grown from seed as a half-hardy annual. I think mine came originally from Chiltern seeds and has survived outdoors for years. The flowers are small and for a dahlia I think it is a bit unusual;.
I believe Helen Dillon considered this one of her favourite plants, but I cannot find the reference. I see in her "The Flower Garden" (p 113) that "this charming species is as unlike the dinner-plate dahlias as you could imagine".
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"This plant doesn't like to dry out, so be sure to water well. Unlike most dahlias, this species is fairly hardy in the UK."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/12404.shtml
"Beautiful yellow-eyed, lavender-pink starry flowers on branching stems, above shiny divided foliage, throughout the summer. Soundly perennial here in Devon, but a well-drained protected spot is recommended elsewhere. Makes a deep long-lived tuber. Few seeds collected."
http://www.plant-world-seeds.com/store/view_seed_item/371?gclid=CJK4w5vPybECFUEZ4Qod41sAzQ
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