Dahlia of the Week: Mazama

Dahlia of the Week – Mazama

Text and photos by John Hibbs, ND

Our second 2018 Dahlia of the Week is Mazama, hybridized and introduced by Connells Dahlias in East Tacoma in 2002.

A pale fuchsia, her 4'-6' blooms are classified size BB or small. Mazama officially has a waterlily form, describing the cuplike structure of alternating blunt-point petals 3-4 layers deep. 

Unlike the lovely Waterlily, no dahlias are particularly scented.

Mazama is a good, modest producer; a healthy plant can present 15-25 blossoms each week August through October in the PNW. 

Her blooms are strong-stemmed, sit upright, and last well in a bouquet. I have had Mazama in the garden for three seasons now, and she grows like a thoroughbred; one of my tallest plants each year can reach 8-9’! Not to worry -- it’s still easy to bend the trunk and cut flowers.

John's garden

The dahlias are thriving with all this heat, a little fertilizer and liberal watering, and Dahlias for Seniors is in gear. 

Once again promoting the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, you can exchange donations for bouquets at the Ridgecrest Public House Tuesday to Sunday (fresh flowers Tuesday and Friday after 5pm) and at the  Senior Center (fresh on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 10:30am).

Located on the NE corner of 1st Ave NE and 185th NE in Shoreline 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155) the Senior Center would love to have you drop in for flowers and see what they're up to.