late bloomers

Do you feel like you are being stared at when you look at this image? I do.

I had no idea dahlias were so hardy––continuing to bloom into late October. These surely must mark be the end of our season. Here a few interesting facts about dahlias:

Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America. Dahlia relatives include the sunflower, daisy, chrysanthemum, and zinnia. There are 49 species of dahlia, with flowers in almost every hue (except blue), with hybrids commonly grown as garden plants. Dahlias were known only to the Aztecs and other southern North American peoples until the Spanish conquest, after which the plants were brought to Europe.

last dahlias of the Twin Cities season