APPLEBLOSSOM

I was so looking forward to Appleblossom. I was disappointed early on when the tuber didn't produce - a small sprout and then nothing until the very end of the season in the Boston area. It valiantly put out a single flower which clearly wasn't its best self. When I dug up the tuber, I saw no signs of mold or anything else - it just kind of died off.

This is my only single, and new to me this year. Next year I plan to add a few more. It's a very pretty flower. It wasn't a super-prolific bloomer (so far) but it made up for that with it's charm. I didn't cut any so I can't speak to others' experience with it's longevity in the vase. On the plant they blooms last and the bees prefer it over any other variety. Each flower always has at least two, often 3, sometimes 4! I think they camp there overnight.

I've purchased this two years in a row and both years this variety was diseased. I know disease is a huge problem in the dahlia community. After spending $100's on tubers, testing etc., I am realizing the only way to keep your garden disease free is to propagate your own. These huge farms really can't provide disease free stock.

In 2023 I planted this tuber but by mid summer I noticed very slow growth and off colored leaves. I tested for TSV and it was positive. I should have asked for a refund but didn’t. This year I again ordered it thinking I was the reason for the disease. But I had a repeat this year. I did not spend the hundreds of dollars on testing but rather isolated all new tubers and culled anything that looked sick. I believe Swan Islands stock of this tuber is diseased. It has turned me off from purchasing new tubers from anyone except those gardeners who have a great interest in disease control. I buy from my society sale. This variety is hard to come buy buy not worth the risk of spreading disease.

All I had to do was sink a stake and tie this dahlia to it. Lots of continuous blooming. Larger flowers than I expected, and so sweet. Soft buttery yellow tinted with pink and peach, with a stronger yellow center. . Appearance reminds me of cosmos only stand up to the Seattle area rain even better. Sturdy stems for cutting, and absolutely adored by native pollinators. I ordered more for this year.

I love this particular dahlia, and the bees love this dahlia as well! This plant has made many blooms for me this year. It is taller than I am, and the creamy-butter color is very pretty. The flowers tend to start to fade and lose petals within a few days, but it has made enough blooms, that I don’t mind they don’t last as long as some other varieties. I will definitely try growing this one again next year.

What a fun little flower! One of my favorite new varieties this year. The plant looked a bit sickly to start, but got stronger as it grew and produces regular blooms. Really great addition, especially when the blooms lean toward the pink/peach blush!

I adore this variety. This past season was my second season growing Appleblossom. It always grows lots of leaves at first for me and doesn't give me a lot of flowers. As soon as it hits its stride though, I'll collect at least two flowers per day off the plant. The blooms are not long lasting, which is to be expected from this type, but they are so sweet. I keep a small vase in my bathroom which always has 3-5 flowers alone and they make such a statement. Every time a new flower blooms, I remove one that's fading and I keep the jar of flowers fresh! Needs lots of support/staking.