2015 AWARDS BANQUET

 The Utah Dahlia Society has a tradition of having an Awards Dinner each year. 

 This year it was held on October 15th.  

The awards are given to people that have had the honor of having their dahlias make it to the Head Table of our annual Dahlia Exhibition Show.

 Joe Morley BBQ catered.  It was delicious.

 Megan put together a tribute to the winners

 using Bill's photos

 Bill is always willing to help.

 Vanetta loves our dahlias almost as much as we do 

and we thank her for her support of the UDS.

 Tim is our newest member.  

He is a commercial cut flower grower and is hoping to learn something from us. 

 We think we will probably learn as much from him.

 Nick presents Megan her award for Best Arrangement.

 Sandy won for Best Novelty.

 Stephan makes Nick laugh as he receives his award for Best AA.

 Jan was thrilled to received her first Head Table award.

 Bill won three awards!

 We missed getting a photo of his award for 

Best Three Blooms but congratulate him on his successes.

 Bill's framed photograph of Mark's Ketchup and Mustard was much appreciated.

 Karen Crook receiving her award for Best BB and Best of Show, Castle Drive.

 Ryan and Julie Williams won 

the American Dahlia Society Award 

for their dedication to the Utah Dahlia Society.  

They are great supporters of the UDS by donating many tubers to our annual tuber sale, their helpfulness

 and the fact that they live in Logan, Utah and seldom miss a meeting.  They drive almost 2 hours to and from each event with their 3 darling girls.  

 We were happy they received this recognition.

Thanks to everyone that participated, to Megan and Mark for all they do and to Bill and Barbara for making the beautiful framed awards.

(BTW, we had two cameras at this event and most people were looking at the other camera;))

Look for more posts for this year.  

We still have two member gardens, and the big tuber dig.

*Side note:  This entry is dated October 23 and I am happy to report that we are still enjoying beautiful dahlias.  Frost is predicted for this weekend but we have all loved the extended season.

Stephan and Mark's Garden Tour

It is a great day when you are lucky enough to tour two gardens. 

 Stephan and Mark's gardens made it an especially great day on this September morning.

We started with Stephan's garden that is a treat for the eyes.  His front garden must be dangerous for the drivers passing by his home.  It would be tough to keep your eyes on the road with the bursts of color from a variety of beautiful plants. 

 Dahlias included of course;) 

 Stephan's garden is unusual in that it has a huge side yard.  He has done a fantastic job with his landscape design that takes you from one area to the next with interesting twists and turns.

 His dahlias are dispersed among the garden plants as well as an area designated to dahlias alone....for the most part.  There are a few amaranths and petunias tucked here and there to add a spark to this lovely garden.

 A creative fountain brings more interest 

to this corner spot.

 I was too far away to hear this conversation but I'm guessing it had something to do with 

a tuber swap next spring;)

---------------------------------------

Mark's love of dahlias got many of us in the 

Utah Dahlia Society started with our 

"addiction" to dahlias.

His garden is a testament to his dedication to this beautiful flower and to his expertise in growing most anything.

 In Mark's Garden you are greeted with some happy marigolds and one of his favorite dahlias, Miss Delilah.

 It is always fun to have a surprise bloom. 

 This Vassio Meggos had a mind of it's own and gives a little wink with the white pedals.

 Disbudding is a constant job for us all.

 Mark does a fabulous job with his.

 In our climate Lovely Lana is a very hard worker. 

 It is not uncommon to have many

 of her large blooms at once.

 Wanda's Aurora

 Mark also has an impressive vegetable garden.

 His compost bin reached 160 degrees 

on this September morning.

Thanks for the tour Stephan and Mark.  

What a pleasure!

Watch for the post of our Awards Banquet that will be held on October 15th.

Cheri's Garden Tour and my tomato cage report will follow.

Carrie's Secret Garden

Megan and I had the privilege of visiting our recent UDS member, Carrie's garden.  Carrie is a professional landscape designer and did she ever pull out all the stops on her own piece of heaven.   She proves that you do not have to have an acre of land to design a beautiful and inviting garden.

When I walked through her arched gate to enter her garden it literally took my breath away.  

 Carrie, on the right after working in the demo garden with Cheri.

 She has crafted an eclectic collection of beautiful plants that is punctuated with dahlias.

 Mon Ami, Carrie's gorgeous companion was watching the tour and looking regal even though I caught her mid-blink.

 Carrie built all the raised beds herself.

 There is no shortage of color here.

 A giant hibiscus presides over the garden in her backyard oasis.

Thanks for the tour Carrie! 

Your garden reminded me of a

"Secret Garden"

although  I'm afraid the secret is out now;)