So What? What Now?

The Artist's Garden in Argenteuil (A Corner of the Garden with Dahlias). 1873, Claude Monet.

 Researching the history of dahlias, the marketing used by dahlia growers, the folklore surrounding dahlias, and government oversite in the floriculture industry has deepened my understanding of a flower that I adore. Exploring these topics through the blog has helped me realize there is so much more to dahlias than I ever knew, and I thought I knew a lot.   

The history of dahlias was a major eye-opener.  While something I had never paid attention to before, I learned how much it matters and is part of the whole story of dahlias.   I also learned that history and folklore are closely linked with one another, and that myths and anecdotes are regurgitated without citation or proof all over the internet, perpetuating the folklore further.  This made me really appreciate the value of good source material more than I had previously. 

Dahlia floral arrangements I created using dahlias (and zinnias) I grew in my home garden.

As for labor, I grow dahlias in my own garden and use them to create floral arrangements for friends and neighbors.  Because of my experience on a small scale, I appreciate just how much work goes into producing these beauties on a large scale.  I cannot fathom growing 40 acres of market-quality dahlias, or breeding them and making my own varieties, or producing thousands of cuttings to sell with my little family.

Visual marketing was important to research and analyze, but my takeaway is that dahlias sell themselves.  You don’t have to try very hard to make them look good in a photo and people are instantly interested.  

The USDA completes an agricultural census every five years.  The last time this was done was in 2017, with results released in 2019 (Census).  I am willing to bet that when the 2022 census results come out in 2024, we will see a massive rise in floriculture business and sales.  Government oversite of floriculture will expand, I am sure, because of this growth.

I have loved dahlias since I was introduced to them ten years ago while living in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.  I took my daughter, who was two at the time, to the Dahlia Festival at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby and we spent the day marveling at the huge range of sizes, shapes, and colors in the blooms on display.  I’ve been in love ever since.   I value the opportunity I have had to dive deeper into a subject that brings me so much joy and creativity, and it has only furthered my desire to learn more.  Because of this blog, I have discovered that I would like to learn more about growing dahlias from cuttings and seeds, breeding my own varieties, and expanding my dahlia garden.  Dahlias have inspired artists, gardeners, and poets for centuries; and I am no different.

Dahlia floral arrangements I created using dahlias I grew in my home garden.

“Census of Agriculture.” United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/.  Accessed 23 April 2023.

Monet, Claude.  The Artist's Garden in Argenteuil (A Corner of the Garden with Dahlias). 1873,  The National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.