I may have said this before, but every year when the last clump is divided and bagged, I look forward to the season to come. This instinct is buried in the DNA of every gardener, particularly those who experience the seasons. Anticipation is the special gift that transcends the successes and failures in the past.

When the future seems to be a burden, it is time to reassess. About 10 years ago, Sydney Eddison published Gardening for a Lifetime (see on Amazon) and it continues to have a place on a shelf filled with books about gardening for seniors. As I approach my eighth decade my body is telling me to cutback. I still see perfect blooms in my imagination, but I also see fewer plants in my patch. At least I am not like George Burns who quipped "At my age, flowers scare me."

Technology has supplanted most of the specialty dahlia catalogues that used to arrive in the mail. The Internet is humming with virtual lists of new introductions and older selections. See the links below for information about the 2022 Bloom Award winners, the Fab 50 and Cream of the Crop lists, and new originations. If you are interested in acquiring a particular dahlia, try www.dahliaaddict.com. Amanda has the most current information.

For more casual growers, tubers are available during early spring from garden centers and box stores. Most of these are imported from Holland. If you cannot see the tuber, proceed with caution. The boxes and bags are frequently banged around in transit.

The Internet also hosts many dahlia suppliers. But don't delay. Some suppliers are already out of many of the favorites!

Even if you just intend to grow or add a few plants, your local dahlia club may have for sale, reliable stock that is suited for your area. Visit the ADS website in early spring to find sales in your area.

This year we recommend one Christmas gift, A Gardener's Journal - A Ten Year Chronicle of Your Garden This journal allows you to follow your garden from year to year.

Have a happy holiday season,

In late winter the ADS website will post information about ADS New Introductions. We've seen preview pictures and there are some beauties coming!