Meet My Flower Friend, Francois

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How did dahlias find their way into your garden and heart?

I am lucky to share my life with a plant lover. In 2017, we started with a small flowerbed project with just a few hostas. This small project led to another, then two more, then five more… Today, the entire space is filled with rock gardens, flowerbeds, and a section dedicated to cut flowers.

Dahlias truly became part of our lives in 2022. We had about thirty of them, which we were very proud of, and they bloomed beautifully all summer. After losing everything during storage, we started over from scratch, and that was when we doubled the number of varieties.

At the end of the 2023 season, I learned about all the diseases and issues that dahlias can have. To ensure a fresh start the following year, we decided to start all over again.

In 2024, we planted over 250 dahlias. It was an amazing season, and that same year, we became true fans!

What are some of your future garden goals?

Our medium-term dream is to have a flower farm with a few specialties, such as irises, peonies, and, of course, dahlias. Currently growing in a rather cold zone, the challenges are significant, but we are ready to take them on, contribute to the beautification of our community, and share the joy that flowers bring.

What has been the hardest challenge growing dahlias?

Without a doubt, the biggest challenges related to dahlias are storage and the constant monitoring of diseases and viruses. One thing to remember: when in doubt, get rid of a suspicious plant quickly!

What has been the most rewarding part of growing dahlias?

Dahlias are magnificent, not only for those who grow them but also for those who buy them in bouquets or receive them as gifts.

No one can remain indifferent to their magic!

Do you have any tips to share that you’ve learned along the way?

Many tips and tricks for growing dahlias, multiplying them, and making them bloom more are well known and easily available through excellent sources like Dahlia Ridge.

However, if I have one recommendation, it’s to remember that not all tubers will sprout or bloom, not all cuttings will produce tubers, and we must accept that we can’t control everything. Above all, we should appreciate what dahlias offer us—one season at a time!


Francois

To learn more about Francois and his flower journey, you can visit : YouTube | Facebook | Instagram