Serving up some dinnerplate dahlias
Dinnerplate dahlias are no shrinking violets; their presence is bold, beautiful and often times bigger than a vase can hold, and short stems certainly don’t help matters. Because the blossoms are bodaciously broad, bud vases topple and mason jars are too short and a little too pedestrian for this grand dame of the summer season.
As a yard-sale aficionado, and thrifty guy to boot, I’ve found a worthy dinnerplate dahlia vessel in the crystal decanter as a presentation pedestal of sorts. Why a spirit decanter? Well for starters, they’re usually shiny and sparkly, which is enough for me; but there are also practical reasons in addition to the aesthetic considerations.
Decanters:
- heavier than most vases
- prettier than most vases
- at least ten inches in height
- allow for water to reach throat of dahlia
- narrow neck supports a huge flower
- bulbous base prevents toppling
- easy-to-find at thrift shops and yard sales
- dramatic in groupings
- relatively inexpensive, especially if sporting a few chips or nicks
I think I paid less than $5 for any of my decanters, and while most have some wear and tear, all it takes is one large dahlia to shift the attention. And as an added benefit, I hear in the off season, they hold wine just fine.
A timely post! I just cut my first dahlia of the year–a monster sized Fleurel-all white and gorgeous. And the stem??–a whopping THREE inches long. Hmmmmm. I’m thinking coffee cup-LOL!
they are gorgeous and the decanters are perfect!
These are gorgeous photos, Tom. Delightful post on dahlias…my grandmother loved them.
What a great idea, Tom! They look so pretty in their lovely, topple-free containers. Used to have some real giants but, alas, no longer have them – long story!
Love the dahlias. Love the crystal decanters. So much ancestral history behind them and you are very fortunate to have inherited them with a few chipped scars of life.They had showcased with pride in so many family homes.
V and the Furry Gang send their regards to you and the delightful Buddy.
Gorgeous, bodacious beauties but…mine always seem to harbour fugitive earwigs. Yuch! What’s your secret? Nothing worse than setting a bevy of these on the dinner table and then watching earwigs jump ship onto the linen napkins.
Hi Sandra, I have a very low-tech technique: simply hold the flower by the back of the flower head and shake gently flower face down. I do this once in the cutting field, and then once again before bringing inside. It seems to work most of the time. Earwigs are poor dinner companions, indeed!