Introducing my local dahlia grower; Neville Mercer aka 'Neville Dahlias'. Apparently dahlias weren't fashionable when he started growing them ( there are now 4800 different varieties..) so I asked Neville why he chose to grow dahlias and he said 'really they grew on me'.
Neville has gained 50 prizes in 5 years, 'cleaning up' at the local shows and now the self confessed dahlia 'freak' has 100 different varieties of dahlias growing around his house. He also grows the best white gladioli I have ever seen.
Neville Dahlias was a jewelry wholesaler by trade...
It's florist heaven to hand pick your own flowers. Every time I go to Neville's there is something even more beautiful to see. The good thing about dahlias for a florist is that they can be pretty sweet or crazy vibrant, therefore there is a dahlia for almost every occasion.
With names like Gemma Darling and Nuit d éte, what is there not to like?
Alas the dahlia season has finished in Dunedin; mid January until mid April. I have used dahlias a lot in this summers weddings & events with the peachy and dark plum colors the most coveted by brides.
Special thanks to Neville Mercer.