Dahlia 'Catherine Deneuve'

Latin: Dahlia 'Catherine Deneuve'
Swedish: Dahlia 'Catherine Deneuve'
English: Dahlia 'Catherine Deneuve'

This dahlia is one of the most lovely dahlias I have seen. It lights up the place. Really no kidding.

14/8-2011

We have now had it two years in a row, that is we purchased it twice.
Last year, 2010, it gave very large amounts of flowers and it lighted up my Automn. It really even survived the first frost until October. It was a pleasure to see it.

This year, 2011, I was forced to purchase a new bulb as I enjoyed last year's so much. I am though not sure why: it might depend on the fact that it does not have enough space, or it might simply be that it was not its year. Or maybe I put it outside too early. Though the current amount of flowers is far from satisfactory: there are a lot of blossoms, but they haven't developed to flowers yet. So far we have only seen one only flower at the time. Still lighting up my everyday routine, but I wish more flowers were to come.

Product description
Single orange flowers (8 cm. across) and beautiful dark foliage, height 80 cm.

Dahlia Gallery Matisse Purple

Latin: Dahlia "Gallery Matisse Purple"
Swedish: Dahlia "Gallery Matisse Purple"
English: Dahlia "Gallery Matisse Purple"

14/8-2011

This dahlia is a tricky one. She will though land again on my purchase list: the flowers, even though not even near to what they looked like in the catalog are very beautiful, colourful and happy. Well, why tricky, you might wonder. The answer is easy! It is the only dahlia whose flowers actually grow under the leaves... So if you want to see them, you'll need to do serious research... under all those leaves. It is very small compared to other dahlias. Right now it has maybe around 2-3 flowers but there are more to come... somewhere under all those leaves... :O)


Producer's description
rather large (13 cm. Ø) orange flowers, height only 30 cm. Purple colour.

Gypsophila elegans 'Crimson'

Latin: Gypsophila elegans
Swedish: Röd sommarslöja 'Crimson'
English: Baby's Breath 'Crimson'
Purchased 22-02-2011 from Impecta.

We sew it on the 9th June 2011. They seem to have come up in larger amounts and spots. Not a very regular growth it seems. Also I probably placed them too near to each other. But well, now I cannot do anything about it and will have to wait and see if it works anyways.
On the 15th June 2011, there was not much to see yet:

Summer's summary 2011-08-23: This plant grew very quick and it seems most seeds also developed. We distributed on a given area and it became very rich with flowers. The flowers are neat.

To say it was invasive is a too hard expression, but indeed they really took their place. The dahlia that was surrounded by them had to fight for space. Nothing tragic though. This will be a standing purchase every year, even though I might not plant as much of it next year now that I know how easy they grow. And yes, they are as beautiful as the catalog wants us to believe. Note though that if you look from above, there might be some places where they lay down.

Producer's description 
It produces incredible amounts of red, graceful small flowers. It fits well in bouquets as well as in flower beds. Here is an image downloaded from Impecta, just to give you an idea until I have my own pictures:

So I hopefully have something to look forward to.

Producer's instructions
Sow directly on the ground as soon as the soil is not frozen anylonger.

Helianthus annuus (Purpureus-gr.)

Latin: Helianthus annuus (Purpureus-gr.)

Swedish: Purpursolros ' Moulin Rouge'
English: Sunflower 'Moulin Rouge'
Purchased in Spring 2011 on the internet from Impecta

I planted the seeds as described in the producer's instructions some time in April I guess. Nearly all seeds grew but I personally feel all stems became far from strong. I felt that they were very unstable and as of now, 2011-06-21, many of them are either broken, dried out or do look ugly in some other way. I personally think they should have been planted out in their final place far earlier. I would guess it has been the main issue here.
I will still try to plant them outside very soon, hoping to save at least some of them, but I do not keep my hopes to high....

Producer's description
A magical sunflower with deep purple red petals with an ebony center. The stem is strong, dark red and the plant branches out. The flowers are 8-10cm. It is very suitable in bouquets. Interesting background flower or solitaire. Here is a picture I downloaded from Impecta:

Producer's instructions
Pre-cultivate indoors in April or sow directly outdoors in May or June. Soak the seeds 24 hours before planting them. Make sure that the soil is fertilized. After they have grown, they should be put in a light and cool area. They should be planted directly when there is no risk for night temperatures under 0.

Lobularia maritima 'Violet Queen'

 Latin: Lobularia maritima 'Violet Queen'
Swedish: Strandkrassing 'Violet Queen'
English: Sweet Alyssum 'Violet Queen'

Got this idea that we need to purchase flowers that can fit among others in rockeries. Our rockery is still not half way to being "plantable" but we need to make sure it will be very soon otherwise there will be a whole deal of sad flowers around here. Or they will end as all other flowers we purchased too early for the rockery. They dried out before they could be planted outside. But I believe it won't happen this once...

Producer's description
It gives a lot of small violet flowers with an inviting perfume. It can be used to cover the ground. It is ideal for borders and rockeries. This is a picture I downloaded from the producer:

Producer's Instructions
It should be cultivated indoors March to April or it can be sown directly outdoors as soon as the soil is not frozen any longer. Can be planted outside when the night temperature is above 0.

Sowing: March to May
Growing time: 5-15 days
Full sun to half sun
Flowering period: June to September
Height: 10cm
Annual

Ptilotus Exaltatus 'Joey'

Latin: Ptilotus Exaltatus 'Joey'
Swedish: Kattamarant 'Joey'
English: Lamb's Tail 'Joey'

I purchased the seeds Spring 2011 from www.graines-baumaux.fr and I thought they looked cool. Little funny even. This is the way they are supposed to look when grown.

I am actually mostly fascinated by the flower. Here it is in a downloaded close-up.

I actually saw them at Blomstertorget. They are far from beautiful, but still rather cool. Let us hope they will grow.

It seems to be original from Australia (well, hope it does not create any imbalance over here just for revenge?!) . According to the supplier, the flower is supposed to be between 7cm and 12cm, but the ones I saw in the shop were rather 5cm than 12cm. The height of the plant should be around 40cm.
Can be grown in flower beds as well as vases.
Annual flower (actually it is a perennial, but not in Sweden).