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Gardening with the

EXPERTS O Dahlias
The world’s finest share their tips for success O Chrysanthemums

‘Barbarry Star’ is a miniature ‘Josudi Aurora’ took
suitable for showing, but
the top prize at the
Photos: Dave Gillam also for the home gardener Leeds trials last year

Best new dahlias for 2018

Here’s my pick of the latest varieties for your garden or the show bench

ast year I saw some very nice Dave Gillam proving its class already. This should be
miniatures and one that caught my available for 2019.
L eye was ‘Ryecroft Misty’, raised by A grower for 25 years, in 2012 Raised by John Willott and released by
Dave won National Individual
Phil Godsmark and released by Halls of Champion awards at each of Halls of Heddon, ‘Normandie
Heddon. This very neat miniature decorative Frills’ is a medium fim (fimbriata
the English (Shepton Mallet),
has crisply formed, white blooms with a light Welsh and Scoish National or fringed) that’s quite weather
lavender flush. It’s not the biggest of Dahlia Society competitions, resistant, with a compact habit
miniatures and needs growing about eight the first time this has ever been accomplished. and good-sized blooms. Its
He’s very busy on YouTube, where you’ll find
flowers to the plant. Another one that stood feathered-tipped flowers will
dozens of videos on how to grow dahlias.
out for me was ‘Westerton Ella Grace’, appeal to many.
raised by Gordon Hodgson and named ‘Josudi Neptune’ is a
after David Hall’s niece. It’s a strong miniature semi-cactus and a
grower and weatherproof, but being a great garden variety. In David
bit taller than average it needs good Hall’s words, “it fades a little
support. It’s also a really pretty flower bit when a little old, but so
for the garden or show bench. From the bright, colourful and cheery,
well known Barbarry stable there’s who cares!” It has plenty
‘Barbarry Star’. This well-formed of petals and lasts well
miniature ball in lemon yellow will be when cut.
sure to find its way into many exhibitors’
gardens and has the usual low, strong- Leeds exhibition
growing habits we find from its raiser trials 2017
Barry Davies. These trials are held in
There was one pom last year that will Golden Acre Park at
be with us for years to come. ‘Jon’s Bramhope, near Leeds,
Twilight’ is a yellow sport of ‘Gurtla by kind permission of
Twilight’ and is one of the best pompons Leeds City Council. There were 36
we have. It comes from Andrew Aspital varieties submitted last year, and the
and is named after his son and helper at general standard was very good.
the shows Jon. It was shown by Andrew in ‘Ryecroft Misty’ is a The overall winner received the Harry
the best vase in show at the National, compact, neat miniature Howarth Memorial Medal plus the Gold
growing to 1.2m (4ft)
40 Garden News /January 27 2018