The Joy of Dahlias

# T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

Dahlia oh la la…

She’s got something special. She’s got the X-factor. She’s an eccentric diva, and a mathematical miracle. The dahlia – oh la la – is a flower that catches your eye. She has a thousand different faces, and just as many forms. She shows herself in countless colors and eccentric shapes. Her generosity is boundless: for months on end, she gives us everything she’s got!

The dahlia had fallen out of favor for a long time, but now she’s made a comeback like never before. How did it happen?

Once upon a time, elderly people with a garden or vegetable patch would grow the flowers in neat rows next to their cauliflower, sprouts, and carrots. Maybe that’s why the flowers had a rather unadventurous image. However, with the rise of smallscale farmers and florists all over the world who are passionate about growing flowers and share their beautiful results on social media, the dahlia has regained the reputation that she deserves.

Fortunately, breeders, growers, and dahlia enthusiasts have continued to worship the dahlia for all those years. They’ve ­cultivated her and, in this way, created thousands of new ­varieties. Small pompons, colossal dishes, frivolous cacti, and subdued stars.

We are dahlia fans, and we’re going to immerse you in the world of the Dutch dahlia.

9

# T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

Dahlia oh la la…

She’s got something special. She’s got the X-factor. She’s an eccentric diva, and a mathematical miracle. The dahlia – oh la la – is a flower that catches your eye. She has a thousand different faces, and just as many forms. She shows herself in countless colors and eccentric shapes. Her generosity is boundless: for months on end, she gives us everything she’s got!

The dahlia had fallen out of favor for a long time, but now she’s made a comeback like never before. How did it happen?

Once upon a time, elderly people with a garden or vegetable patch would grow the flowers in neat rows next to their cauliflower, sprouts, and carrots. Maybe that’s why the flowers had a rather unadventurous image. However, with the rise of smallscale farmers and florists all over the world who are passionate about growing flowers and share their beautiful results on social media, the dahlia has regained the reputation that she deserves.

Fortunately, breeders, growers, and dahlia enthusiasts have continued to worship the dahlia for all those years. They’ve ­cultivated her and, in this way, created thousands of new ­varieties. Small pompons, colossal dishes, frivolous cacti, and subdued stars.

We are dahlia fans, and we’re going to immerse you in the world of the Dutch dahlia.

9

INTR Each one of us has been enchanted by the dahlia in our own special way.

Day after day, the flower brings us friendship, love, fun, joy, and ... sensation!

O DU C T I O N

Welcome to our dahlia world

INTR Each one of us has been enchanted by the dahlia in our own special way.

Day after day, the flower brings us friendship, love, fun, joy, and ... sensation!

O DU C T I O N

Welcome to our dahlia world

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

“ THE DAHLIA IS TRULY A SOURCE OF JOY. TRUST ME”

MARLIES

Marlies (left) and Linda (right).

12

“During my studies, I met Hubert on a night out with my friends in Noordwijk aan Zee, the seaside town where I grew up. I mean, he was a nice guy, but I had no idea what it meant to be in a relationship with a dahlia grower. After a while, we spent more and more of our evenings at the flower auction, delivering the flowers that he’d cut during the day. Soon, I discovered what running a flower farm really means; you’re always working. But I also saw the beauty that it offers: a sense of freedom, working in the fresh air, the changing of the seasons and, in the summertime, the most beautiful flowers in the fields were the icing on the cake. I like to cut fresh flowers; sometimes I’ll create a large mixed bouquet, and at other times I pick different shapes and colors to put into the vases of my vase collection. It always makes me happy.

It’s been many years since my first introduction to life on the farm, and my passion for dahlias has only grown. How beautiful, sweet, and exciting they are ... and it’s wonderful that my childhood friend Linda and I embarked on our very own FAM Flower Farm adventure a couple of years ago. Every day, we share our colorful flowers with enthusiasts all over the world via social media. We really enjoy taking photographs, we meet the nicest visitors, and we love following everyone’s enthusiastic stories.

The dahlia has truly enriched my life. By creating this book, I’d like to share my passion and show people how versatile and unique dahlias are. Perhaps I’ll meet you soon – online or even out with us in the field.

Maybe you won’t be able to wait until spring to plant a few tubers yourself, or you’ll discover even more beautiful varieties for your own home and garden, and we’ll be able to give you some helpful tips. As you leaf through the pages of this book, you’ll become a little bit happier as your eyes drink in the images, because the dahlia is truly a source of joy. Trust me.”

13

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

“ THE DAHLIA IS TRULY A SOURCE OF JOY. TRUST ME”

MARLIES

Marlies (left) and Linda (right).

12

“During my studies, I met Hubert on a night out with my friends in Noordwijk aan Zee, the seaside town where I grew up. I mean, he was a nice guy, but I had no idea what it meant to be in a relationship with a dahlia grower. After a while, we spent more and more of our evenings at the flower auction, delivering the flowers that he’d cut during the day. Soon, I discovered what running a flower farm really means; you’re always working. But I also saw the beauty that it offers: a sense of freedom, working in the fresh air, the changing of the seasons and, in the summertime, the most beautiful flowers in the fields were the icing on the cake. I like to cut fresh flowers; sometimes I’ll create a large mixed bouquet, and at other times I pick different shapes and colors to put into the vases of my vase collection. It always makes me happy.

It’s been many years since my first introduction to life on the farm, and my passion for dahlias has only grown. How beautiful, sweet, and exciting they are ... and it’s wonderful that my childhood friend Linda and I embarked on our very own FAM Flower Farm adventure a couple of years ago. Every day, we share our colorful flowers with enthusiasts all over the world via social media. We really enjoy taking photographs, we meet the nicest visitors, and we love following everyone’s enthusiastic stories.

The dahlia has truly enriched my life. By creating this book, I’d like to share my passion and show people how versatile and unique dahlias are. Perhaps I’ll meet you soon – online or even out with us in the field.

Maybe you won’t be able to wait until spring to plant a few tubers yourself, or you’ll discover even more beautiful varieties for your own home and garden, and we’ll be able to give you some helpful tips. As you leaf through the pages of this book, you’ll become a little bit happier as your eyes drink in the images, because the dahlia is truly a source of joy. Trust me.”

13

T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

“ WE SEE HOW DEEPLY THE DAHLIA CAN MOVE PEOPLE”

LINDA “I grew up on my parents’ flower farm, and my childhood was nothing short of incredible. But one thing I knew for sure: under no circumstances did I want to marry a flower grower. Until I met Henk ... A tulip and narcissus grower who had just started working on the family farm run by his father and uncle. We’d had some dahlias in our garden for many years, but I truly discovered them when I visited Hubert and ­Marlies’ farm. Marlies and I have been friends since high school, and we both married flower growers.

We spent more and more time playing with the idea of how we could get more people to enjoy all of our beautiful flowers and infinite flower fields. Hubert and Henk have been growing flower bulbs for wholesalers and international export all their lives, but we never knew exactly where they ended up. We certainly didn’t know what people thought of the end product. Since Marlies and I started FAM Flower Farm, we’re in direct contact with consumers. It’s an experience I learn from every day and it helps us do an even better job of responding to the demand. Every ­season, not only do we spend weeks among the flowers photographing them, but we also welcome visitors into our dahlia paradise. Every visit feels like a small celebration. We always offer visitors coffee, tea, and Dutch stroopwafels.

Our guests have plenty of time to wander through the dahlias, take lots of photos, and look for their favorite varieties. Of course, we give them a mini lecture about dahlias and answer their many questions.

This is how we meet flower enthusiasts from every corner of the globe, and we see how deeply the dahlia can move people. The best part is when people decide to get started in their own gardens, order dahlia tubers through our web shop, and then proudly share their results. Everyone can get dahlias to bloom. And, there’s nothing we love more than spreading the love for flowers with our hashtag #spreadtheloveforflowers.”

14

15

T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

“ WE SEE HOW DEEPLY THE DAHLIA CAN MOVE PEOPLE”

LINDA “I grew up on my parents’ flower farm, and my childhood was nothing short of incredible. But one thing I knew for sure: under no circumstances did I want to marry a flower grower. Until I met Henk ... A tulip and narcissus grower who had just started working on the family farm run by his father and uncle. We’d had some dahlias in our garden for many years, but I truly discovered them when I visited Hubert and ­Marlies’ farm. Marlies and I have been friends since high school, and we both married flower growers.

We spent more and more time playing with the idea of how we could get more people to enjoy all of our beautiful flowers and infinite flower fields. Hubert and Henk have been growing flower bulbs for wholesalers and international export all their lives, but we never knew exactly where they ended up. We certainly didn’t know what people thought of the end product. Since Marlies and I started FAM Flower Farm, we’re in direct contact with consumers. It’s an experience I learn from every day and it helps us do an even better job of responding to the demand. Every ­season, not only do we spend weeks among the flowers photographing them, but we also welcome visitors into our dahlia paradise. Every visit feels like a small celebration. We always offer visitors coffee, tea, and Dutch stroopwafels.

Our guests have plenty of time to wander through the dahlias, take lots of photos, and look for their favorite varieties. Of course, we give them a mini lecture about dahlias and answer their many questions.

This is how we meet flower enthusiasts from every corner of the globe, and we see how deeply the dahlia can move people. The best part is when people decide to get started in their own gardens, order dahlia tubers through our web shop, and then proudly share their results. Everyone can get dahlias to bloom. And, there’s nothing we love more than spreading the love for flowers with our hashtag #spreadtheloveforflowers.”

14

15

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

“ THESE DYNAMIC ­SUPERSTARS HAVE ME HOOKED FOR LIFE”

KATJA “I once bought a few dahlia tubers. I saw them in a bargain box next to the checkout counter at the supermarket. I took the funny potato-like tubers out of the bag, followed the instructions on the package, and planted them. I was really surprised when I saw what came out of that ugly tuber. And I was amazed at how fast the flowers grew in such a short time. They just kept growing and growing!

I can’t even imagine gardening without dahlias now. They’re incredible. They bring such an abundance of personality and fun to your garden.

All of those different shapes and colors! They’re great garden flowers, but they are also perfect for cutting to create bouquets and vase arrangements throughout the summer.

In September 2017, Marlies and Linda from FAM Flower Farm contacted me along with some other flower bloggers through Instagram and invited us to pick the last dahlia bouquets of the season. That’s when I fell seriously head over heels in love with dahlias. Just imagine: rows, and rows, and rows of flowers. Dahlias everywhere, as far as the eye could see.

Today, I have a larger garden with a mini picking garden for my own bouquets, and three perennial borders in which I group dahlias. I have many more varieties now than when I started out with my three tubers from the supermarket. I also know a lot more about how to grow them, I create bouquets, and I take pictures for my blogs, magazine articles, and social media. These dynamic superstars have me hooked for life.

That’s also why I thought that they deserved their own dedicated book, and here it is. Writing it has been such a beautiful adventure; I loved ­discovering one story after another. Because, wow, what a thrill the dahlia is, and has been for 500 years!”

16

17

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

“ THESE DYNAMIC ­SUPERSTARS HAVE ME HOOKED FOR LIFE”

KATJA “I once bought a few dahlia tubers. I saw them in a bargain box next to the checkout counter at the supermarket. I took the funny potato-like tubers out of the bag, followed the instructions on the package, and planted them. I was really surprised when I saw what came out of that ugly tuber. And I was amazed at how fast the flowers grew in such a short time. They just kept growing and growing!

I can’t even imagine gardening without dahlias now. They’re incredible. They bring such an abundance of personality and fun to your garden.

All of those different shapes and colors! They’re great garden flowers, but they are also perfect for cutting to create bouquets and vase arrangements throughout the summer.

In September 2017, Marlies and Linda from FAM Flower Farm contacted me along with some other flower bloggers through Instagram and invited us to pick the last dahlia bouquets of the season. That’s when I fell seriously head over heels in love with dahlias. Just imagine: rows, and rows, and rows of flowers. Dahlias everywhere, as far as the eye could see.

Today, I have a larger garden with a mini picking garden for my own bouquets, and three perennial borders in which I group dahlias. I have many more varieties now than when I started out with my three tubers from the supermarket. I also know a lot more about how to grow them, I create bouquets, and I take pictures for my blogs, magazine articles, and social media. These dynamic superstars have me hooked for life.

That’s also why I thought that they deserved their own dedicated book, and here it is. Writing it has been such a beautiful adventure; I loved ­discovering one story after another. Because, wow, what a thrill the dahlia is, and has been for 500 years!”

16

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T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

7

8

2

4

6

9

1 5

3

1. Felida Solar Flare 2. Mirella 3. Nicholas 4. Neon Splendor 5. Jowey Linda 6. Parkland Glory 7. Berliner Orange 8. Sunshine 9. Mirella

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T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

7

8

2

4

6

9

1 5

3

1. Felida Solar Flare 2. Mirella 3. Nicholas 4. Neon Splendor 5. Jowey Linda 6. Parkland Glory 7. Berliner Orange 8. Sunshine 9. Mirella

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T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

1

4

1. Rawhide 2. Jowey Paula 3. Kasagi 4. Firepot

2

Tip w

Are you looking for a versatile potted plant? Dahlia ‘Firepot’ is a richly ­flowering and full plant with ­photogenic, multi-colored flowers.

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T H E J O Y O F DA H L I A S

# S P R E A D T H E L OV E F O R F L O W E R S

1

4

1. Rawhide 2. Jowey Paula 3. Kasagi 4. Firepot

2

Tip w

Are you looking for a versatile potted plant? Dahlia ‘Firepot’ is a richly ­flowering and full plant with ­photogenic, multi-colored flowers.

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COLOPHON © 2020 TERRA Publishing Terra is part of TerraLannoo bv Postbus 23202 1100 DS Amsterdam, the Netherlands info@terralannoo.nl www.terra-publishing.com

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Text and concept: Katja Staring, Linda van der Slot, Marlies Weijers Photography: FAM Flower Farm, Katja Staring Design: Hans Delnoij (interior), Annelies Dollekamp (concept and cover) Translation: Textcase, Deventer First print, 2020 ISBN 978 90 8989 825 8 NUR 421

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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