Hello from a wet and windy Mid Wales! Long-term readers will know that I’m a bit obsessed when it comes to dahlias. I can’t pass one on a plant stall, or in a nursery, and not buy it! Well, the dahlias are getting a bit bashed around in this wet & windy autumnal weather, but some of them are still flowering.
This year, more so than others, I’ve noticed something a bit strange happening to some of the dahlias. Some of them have been mutating! Plant mutations can be called sports, breaks or chimeras, and can be naturally occurring. Mutations can affect just a single petal, a segment of petals, half of the bloom or all of it.
The dahlias in my garden with the most mutations are of the ‘Cafe au Lait Royal’ variety. They could be described as large creamy blooms lightly brushed with pink (as seen on the left-hand side of the dahlia above), but mine decided to be a bit different! This is the first time I’ve grown ‘Cafe au Lait Royal’ dahlias, but they’re certainly beautiful. At first, they flowered quite normally, but then in early August one or two decided to get a bit creative with their colours. They’ve ranged from normal to half & half, pretty much all nearly cream and almost all pink. I just don’t know what they’re going to do next!
Next up is the ‘Edge of Joy’ variety. These are most definitely one of my favourite dahlias with their stunning white petals edged with raspberry. Again, my ‘Edge of Joy’ bloomed quite normally until recently when a couple of blooms have been quite different. The bees love them however they decide to bloom.
Just the one ‘Zundert Mystery Fox’ decided to bloom with a mysterious pink section. Perhaps that’s why it’s got “Mystery” in its name! Who knows?
If you’re on Instagram or TikTok, don’t forget to follow me! Here’s a video of one of the yellow dahlias which decided just to have one very thin stripe of bright pink. I haven’t a clue where that came from but the bees loved it all the same.
@notesoflife.uk A busy bee on a dahlia in the back garden. I’m not sure where the pink line on the dahlia came from, but I love seeing anomalies like that. #gardentok #dahlias #bee #bees #garden #gardening #busybees #buzzybees #buzz #buzzy #yellow #flowers ♬ Acoustic guitar live performance Gentle and nimble in nature(1007339) – Melonest
How is your garden doing? Have you had any flowers mutate?
45 Comments
Kelly
This is so bizarre, yet even with their mutations, they’re still beautiful! Clearly it doesn’t seem to bother the bees. (I’m not sure how color factors in to their search for pollen)
Nikki
I don’t know either, but the yellow dahlias do seem to be their favourites.
Johanna Bradley
What a glorious collection, Nikki!
somewhereinireland
The dahlias are very pretty and I think even the bee would agree. 🙂
Eunice Ratcliffe
I love dahlias and these are so pretty. As for the mutations, variety is the spice of life as they say 🙂
Nikki
Very much so!
Anabel Marsh
Those are lovely. I hadn’t heard of such mutations before.
tomthebackroadstraveller
…I enjoy your misfits!
DeniseinVA
Absolutely gorgeous photos of your dahlias Nikki! Prizeworthy!!!
Nikki
Thank you!
Carol
mutations have their own beauty
Kris P
The half-misfit Dahlia ‘Cafe au Lait Royal’ is stunning, as is ‘Edge of Joy’. I had the latter on my list a couple of years ago but something went awry – the tubers were sold out perhaps. One of my Dahlia ‘Fairway Spur’ Dahlias is producing mutants. They’re not color mutations but rather variations in the shape of the flowers resulting from some of the inner petals either partially unfurling or not unfurling at all. From what I’ve read, that kind of problem is probably due to insect damage, most likely thrips. My guess is that the color breaks you’ve experienced are true genetic mutations. Growing dahlias is always interesting!
Nikki
I’d definitely recommend getting ‘Edge of Joy’ if you can. It’s flowered continuously all summer and it’s beautiful.
lisl
They are still as beautiful as ever, but it is strange, Nikki. Is is easy to grow dahlias?
Nikki
I think the hard part is digging them up for winter and hoping they flower again next summer! Otherwise, it’s just the usual dead heading, watering etc.
Noelle
Could one say that the colour of the flowers is not ‘stable’? Whatever the reasons, they are still magnificent blooms, and amazingly free from nibbles or insects.
Nikki
I guess so. There are a few with nibbles and insects though!
Jo
Nature will do its own thing. They’re all beautiful whatever the colour.
Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread
Amazing collection of beautiful dahlias! Do you have to dig yours up each fall before the onset of winter? I do along with my cannas so I must admit it keeps my collection on the small side.
Nikki
Thank you! Yes, they’re dug up each autumn before it gets too cold and then replanted in late spring. I obviously forget about the hard work that’s involved when I spot a new dahlia!
Lisa's Notebook
Wow, your mutations are gorgeous! I’ve not noticed any of our dahlias doing the same, it must be something in the Welsh water 🙂
Nikki
Perhaps it is!
Shelley Krupa
Wow, the busy bees are helping the mutations take off and shine! The colors are so gorgeous, I can see why you’re smitten with them. Enjoy every blossom while it lasts!
Ann
They’re still beautiful regardless of the mutations, Nikki! I’ve had this happen to various plants in my garden, most notably and recently Salvia ‘Hot Lips’. Supposed to bi-coloured red and white, I’ve had some pure whites and all reds come up too. xxx
Marty
Love the “half misfit” denotation. 🙂 The mystery dahlia is my favorite. It’s really beautiful. I’d say as obsessions go, you have a very healthy one!
Ginnie Hart
I didn’t grow up with dahlias in Michigan or Georgia, Nikki, so seeing these in whatever mutation they come is pure delight for me. I especially love that the bees are still here with us. GOD SAVE THE BEES…and the dahlias!
Nikki
It’s always a joy to see the bees. We’re in for a really warm week here in the coming days, so the bees will be loving the weather and the dahlias!
Astrid
Amazing, amazing. I am in awe of all your flowers, the mutation is just amazing and fascinating to see. They make you wonder, but the joy it gives is also amazing. I love your flowers, thank you for showing
Nikki
And thank you for your wonderful comments!
Eastside Cats
Fascinating!
What beautiful blooms, in all their beautiful hues!
Catherine
Despite the mutation on your dahlias – they’re all adorable. I had one plant last year that had one flower similar to your first – but to have so many variations on the one plant is really peculiar! To have mutations on another two makes it more of a mystery!
WanderingCanadians
Dahlias are such pretty flowers and I can see why you’re obsessed with them. It’s interesting to hear that some of yours have been mutating. What a lovely display you have.
Beverley
Your Dahlias are really beautiful and each one unique. Nature has a wonderful way of surprising us.
Graeme
A beautiful selection of Dahlias and I love the bee.
chickenruby
I love dahlias, the colour mutations are stunning. Just to let you know, sadly Bob didn’t make it.
Nikki
I’m so sorry to hear that. Take care.
Peter B.
Stunning photos. Some look like beautiful paintings!
Nikki
Thank you!
Anca
These are gorgeous! I have few dahlias left in my garden, but I will plant some more next year.
Felicity Grace Terry
Feeling properly autumnal here now … not that I’m complaining.
One of my granddad’s favourite flowers. Thank you for a post that took me back to my childhood and a garden full of dahlias
Carol
Dahlias are so beautiful and I love the vibrant colors.
Denise Bush
Awesome flowers and photographs! 🙂
Sharon
How strange, but quite magical really. Perhaps it’s because you have so many. 🙂
jeanie
I think your misfits are far more lovely than the “plain old garden variety”! My mom used to grow dahlias and I find them a beautiful bloom. These are fabulous.
Anca
I completely forgot about this post. Thanks for sending me the link. I see that I’ve commented, so I saw it when you posted it last year. The misfits are so cute.