Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.
Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks),
and I have accepted the mantle.
The
rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos
under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Sorry I still
haven't succeeded in working out how to do a blog hop. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
I
usually run with a theme. Each year there is a race to see whether our tree dahlias (Dahlia imperialis) flower before frost brings them down. This year it was a draw. We got some flowers on Friday morning but we also got the first frost for the year that has made the plants look very sorry indeed. Next week I am going to have to cut them down.
So this week's Sunday Selections is devoted to their brief flowering - in which the bees found and dleighted in them.
To reach heights of over ten feet tall and only bloom for a day seems a tad unfair - but we did see those blooms which we don't always.
Yeah, wow. One day, eh? That does sound unfair.. Pretty though, they are. Happy Weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: It is the luck of the draw. Some years frost cuts them down before they bloom and other years we get to enjoy them for longer. At least we did see them this year.
DeleteLaura Eno - Such gorgeous flowers! Sad that they are so brief but I guess that makes them even more of a delight.
ReplyDeleteFrost appearing must be a pleasant change for your comfort so I’m glad to hear you’ve moved out of your hot spell.
Give the Overlords scritches from me and I hope your week is filled with coolness and peace. Hugs always.
Laura Eno: I am loving the frost. The rest of the household is not so convinced. Huge hugs - and thanks.
DeleteI found this fascinating blurb:
ReplyDelete"Dahlia imperialis, also known as the Tree Dahlia, symbolizes elegance, beauty, strength, and transformation. Its name, derived from the Latin "imperialis" meaning "imperial" or "magnificent", further emphasizes its grandeur and regal presence. In the past, the Aztecs used the hollow stems of Dahlia imperialis to transport water, earning it the name "water pipe flower" in Nahuatl. Today, dahlias are revered as the national flower of Mexico, representing national pride, elegance, and resilience. "
Wishing you a very pleasant week, : )
contempladoraocidental: It is lovely to know that they are celebrated in Mexico and that their stems were used to transport water.
DeleteWonderful to see the blooms, and hear about the happy bees. We had a quarter million bees overturned on the highway, but many have been saved. We need every bee, I think.
ReplyDeleteDJan: I saw that story about your bees and was glad that many were saved. We do indeed need bees. All of them.
DeleteI didn't know dahlias grew on trees. I'm only familiar with the ones that grow in the ground in a garden. These are lovely, Sue! Their brief flowering only makes them more special.
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: In areas that don't get frost they can (and do) bloom for a lot longer. I am glad we saw them this year.
DeleteI'm grieving for a friend who lost a partner to suicide. Thank you, Sue, for the important work you do, comforting those in dark hours. You are an angel.
DeleteFundy Blue: I am so sorry to read this. Fortunately there are a lot of angels - which doesn't diminish the pain.
DeleteFirst frost already! That is wild that it might only bloom one day...
ReplyDeleteAlex J Cavanaugh: It is late for our first frost. We have often been having them regularly by now. Late for the tree dahlias too.
DeleteSome people don't like plants that flower briefly once a year and then are not noticeable for the rest of the year, but that is not me. It is so exciting when annual flowers appear, and even if it just for a day, like your tree dahlias or a cactus, I think it's a wait worth while.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Andrew.
DeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Andrew & Sandra Cox: I am happy to see and celebrate them but would mourn if I missed them.
DeleteWe sadly bid them adieu and look forward to their beauty gracing us next year. Hugs
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Sandra Cox: The flowers that opened are still there but looking a tad sad. There won't be any more this year. Better luck next year.
DeleteWhat a glorious treat to see those blossoms! Thank goodness the frosty morning didn't come any sooner.
ReplyDeleteKim: It is a treat and one I am glad we got.
DeleteI did it!!
ReplyDeleteDanielle: I assume you mean you joined Sunday Selections. I am off to see and applaud.
DeleteA brief moment of beauty, but such beauty. Love the color.
ReplyDeleteGlenda Beall: You can also get them in white. I might investigate later but I am happy to see these when the frost allows me to.
DeleteWe had some tree dahlias here behind a neighbours flat but they were right beside the fence which got torn down when new houses were built on the space behind, so the tree dahlias got ripped out along with that fence. I remember the blooms lasted a while because we never have frost here. sometimes early morning the air is a bit frosty, but there is never frost on the ground.
ReplyDeleteRiver: We have had blooms for a week or so some years but never longer than that. We often have frosty grounds - which has its own charm. I hope to be able to freeze bubbles later this year.
DeleteI really like those plants, they are very pretty but then what flower isn't!
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: There is almost always something blooming in our garden - which I love.
DeleteI'd never heard of tree dahlias but even in their sad shape they are really impressive. So glad you shared and provided me with new knowledge.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard and Elizabeth: In a good season they grow to over twelve feet tall and have masses of flowers. They are definitely impressive.
DeleteOne brief "Hello! I'm here!" Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBill: A classic hello, goodbye. And yes, they are lovely.
DeleteÉs ben cert que sembla injust, tota la feina que fan durant tot l'any per només un dia... Crec que el fet de poder veure-les aquest dia, les fa més maques...
ReplyDeleteM'encanta el seu color.
Aferradetes, Sue.
sa lluna: Some years the frost has got there before they bloom. I was grateful for that one day.
DeleteThey are very beautiful, Sue. I can see why you look forward to them every year.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: The bees love them too.
DeleteUna pena de que este año haya sucedido así, pero al menos han servido para que las abejas tomen su polen.
ReplyDeleteUn cordial saludo.
Manuel: I was glad for the bees too.
DeleteA one day bloom is sad since one can miss that day! So pretty. You were fortunate to catch them!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Some years we get more blooming time, some years less. I am glad that I caught them too - though I have been watching them closely.
DeleteThat is sad to only bloom for a day but at least you got to enjoy them. And I get to enjoy them through your photos. The dahlias seems to be fighting to stay around.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
lissa: I did enjoy them. And glad you did too.
Deletevery beautiful for a day at least. Doesn't seem fair though.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Better a day than none.
DeleteHello lovely post, and now not only have you seen them, but we have too, and I agree as there are a few of these one-day bloomers in our world and why? Even Tulips I believe should last longer after blooming. Now if only we could apply this to the current US President our troubles would be over. Opps I brought negativity to my comment not good. Enjoy your lovely world and thank you for brightening my day.
ReplyDelete21 Wits: Your president is not a bloom and should be composted. A little negativity does no harm - and your posts are always uplifting. I hope your birthday was wonderful.
DeleteBeautiful flowers. I hope you have a great new week ahead, Welcome to June.
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Thank you.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteThe tree dahlia's flowers may be brief, but they make an impact! It's so good to be able to enjoy the delights of nature and thank you for sharing.
Have a flower-filled week!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: Today I got into the garden and did some concerted weeding. More to do. Himself planted rather a lot of bulbs. More of that to do too. Enjoy your garden too.
DeleteWhat a delight! I'm glad you got to see and share this.
ReplyDeletemessymimi: I watch for them every year.
DeleteWow, that's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: I think so too - and seeing them bloom ten feet in the air is lovely.
DeleteOh, they're lovely! I agree it seems sad that they get so little time to shine; but I guess it makes them all the more cherished when they do. :-)
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: They are definitely cherished. And I am considering getting some more.
DeleteSo beautiful
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: We think so too.
DeleteThey are glorious! I wonder if our perception of beauty, of its value is proportional to its transience? Your posts always lift my week. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNilanjana Bose: As you know I am a beauty addict and often find it in very ephemeral things. Beauty is everywhere for which I am grateful.
DeleteGigi Hawaii— I don’t see dahlias here but yours are gorgeous. I love the color. Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteGigi Hawaii: They are pretty. You will see flowers that I never see (and envy).
DeleteHi EC - gosh I love those tree dahlias - so thank you for sharing with us ... ten feet = way to go! Love the ice-cream pink colour too ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: They are not quite as tall as they have been some years - but it blows me away that they grow so tall in a season. It feels as if I can almost see them grow.
DeleteI've heard of dahlias but not tree dahlias. But then again my knowledge of flowers is absolutely disgraceful.
ReplyDelete:o)
Cheers
PM
Plastic Mancunian: I came to Tree dahlias relatively late. Still learning...
DeleteYour flowers are also bigger than ours. This is a beautiful one, and it's worth waiting for.
ReplyDeleteHugs orvokki
orvokki: Thank you. It is worth waiting for - as is the beautiful pink blossom you shared today.
DeleteI'm glad you made it to see the tentative bloom window, and to share your lovely sights with us, EC. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRawknrobyn: You are always so nice to me. Thank you.
DeleteWow! I have never seen those beautiful flowers before. Thank you dear! Aloha
ReplyDeleteCloudia: It is my pleasure.
DeleteThese are delightful blooms - I'm glad for their life, however brief (as are the bees, clearly) and I'm glad you got pictures to share with us. Seems a shame their blooming period is so close to the first frosts. Sometimes Nature DOES make mistakes :)
ReplyDeleteI hope the cooler weather is doing you some good, dear friend.
jenny_o: I was so happy to see them, and hope that their flowering season is longer next year.
DeleteThe cooler weather is helping. I can get shoes on my feet again.
Oh, they beat the frost to it. Lovely flowers, fitting their name.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): They only just beat the frost this year, but beat it they did.
DeleteSo lovely 😊.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
rssue: Thank you. Have a wonderful day.
DeleteA lovely series of blooms and so nice to capture them with your camera before the frost had its effect on them :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: I was lucky wasn't I? We have had several frosts since then, though not particularly hard ones.
DeleteSuch pretty purple Dahlia flowers!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to participate in whatever prompts I can.
https://artmater.com/sunday-selections-june-1-2025/
artmater: I am off to check out your post now. Thank you for joining us.
DeleteThey are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteJenn Jilks: Aren't they? I am so glad that they bloomed briefly before frost cut them down.
DeleteThank you for sharing these beautiful blooms.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why but it shocked me to read about frosts!
Here in the UK we have just had one of the warmest and driest months of May for sometime. Fortunately it has been a wetter week this week but we could do with more.
Hope your week is going well, they seem to fly by!
All the best Jan
Lowcarb team member ~Jan: Thank you. We have had a warm (for us) and dry May too but with June we are getting some frosts. We definitely could, like you, do with some rain.
DeleteSuch a pretty colour! Just lovely, thank you
ReplyDeletekylie: Thank you. and hugs.
Delete