For the 2007 gardening season, a number of new bulb varieties are being
introduced. These are versatile enough to be used throughout the landscape.

Concerning new dahlias, Territorial Seed is offering a wonderful new collection. These will be shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zones. This collection of six different, very floriferous varieties that grow from three to five feet in height. Borne on sturdy stems, the blooms are from four to seven inches across. They’re all doubles. These include Center Court with a pure white bloom. Pink Parfait is a lovely, pastel pink with hints of yellow at the base of the new petals. Hulin’s Carnival is a delightful variety with white blooms featuring flecks of burgundy. Tomo has lovely purple petals with a touch of white on the tips. Rip City is deep maroon, while Cornel is vivid red.

For 2007, Thompson and Morgan is offering seed of a delightful striped dahlia. Dahlia Fireworks Mixed has plants that remind me of the coloring seen in alstroemerias. As with all seed-grown dahlias, these produce tubers that you can save for next year. Fireworks Mixed plants are dwarf, only reaching about 1½ feet in height. The dense bushy plants are a perfect size for planters as well as for flower beds and borders. Appearing on strong stems, the single-type blooms have yellow centers. The mix includes blooms in all shades of yellow, orange, and red. All of them have red stripes. It seems as if no two blooms are exactly alike.

Decorative Dahlia Melody Dora reaches about two feet in height. Fully double, the colors give an interesting bicolor effect. These are dark peach along the outer petals, while the inner ones are more medium yellow except for the contrasting band of pink along the tips and edges.

Decorative Dahlia Chianti grows to around three feet in height. This lovely pastel bicolor has richly double blossoms. These are cream to pale yellow with blushes of pink with pink lines along the tips.

Decorative Dahlia Karma Fuchsiana reaches about three feet in height. The richly covered petals are fuchsia with a hint of medium yellow towards the center of the blossoms.

Calla lily Persuasion grows to about 1½ feet tall. These blooms bring swirls of reddish-pink color. On some stems towards the base of the flowers, there is a touch of a paler pink.