When it comes to dahlias, Drew English, owner of The English Gardener in Cashiers, North Carolina and head gardener at High Hampton, is your go-to guy. FLOWER contributing editor Alice Doyle talked with him about cutting and arranging these gorgeous flowers.
Photo by Molly Harris
Drew English walks through the dahlia garden at High Hampton looking for blooms to include in his next arrangement.
FLOWER: ANY SPECIAL CUTTING AND CONDITIONING RULES OF THUMB FOR DAHLIAS?
Drew English: To encourage extended and more prolific blooming, cut your dahlias deep within the plant and take long cutting stems, sacrificing smaller lateral buds. The terminal bud is the main bud at the end of a stem and will produce the showstopper flower. I typically cut down two or more leaf sets from the desired bloom, yielding at least a 12-inch stem. These long stems are great for arranging and allow more options for vases and designs.
HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE THEIR LONGEVITY AFTER CUTTING?
Like a lot of other flowers from the garden, dahlias benefit from hydration and searing at the base of the stem. By searing a well-hydrated stem in very hot water for several seconds, the vase life is greatly extended.
Photo by Molly Harris
Drew mixes multiple colors and sizes together to create a big and bold effect.
ARE THERE ANY UNWRITTEN RULES ABOUT COMBINING COLORS OR SIZES TOGETHER, OR IS IT STRICTLY DICTATED BY YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES?
When I arrange dahlias, I follow the rule of “bride, bridesmaid and wedding crasher.” The “bride” is your main focal point, the star of the display. The “bridesmaid” will complement your “bride” in either size, shape, or color. Then your “wedding crasher” is something unexpected or visually different. It can be a vibrant color like red or orange. Or it can be something completely different in scale, size, or form. Summer gardens yield a full spectrum of colors for us to enjoy, and dahlias are the most fun to play with!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE COLOR COMBINATIONS?
I like to mix a lot of colors in a single arrangement. Deep purples and reds mix well with white and lavender. Orange, coral, and pink dahlias make a beautiful combination and really pop when paired with a touch of pale yellow.
Photo by Molly Harris
Colorful green glasses, plaid napkins, and blue plates complement the vibrant dahlias.
WHAT OTHER PLANT MATERIAL PAIRS WELL WITH DAHLIAS?
Our Southern mountain gardens and woodlands provide the best material to incorporate into arranging dahlias. Eupatorium, Queen Anne’s lace, hydrangeas, Gooseneck, bee balm, fern fronds, and other foraged greens make great floral material to match with dahlias in your creations.
By Alice Welsh Doyle | Photography by Molly Harris
Get to know Drew English and get his tips for growing dahlias.
Learn more about High Hampton and how the resort offers the epitome of luxurious mountain hospitality with nods to its storied past.
