My original idea was that this would be a dahlia bed, although i havent been able to resist slipping in lots of other darlings. I dont dig them up, but most of the dahlias have continued to come back bigger and bolder than ever. They dont show up until late May, but bloom heavily from August til frost. I forget the varieties! The big yellow one grows monstrous and blooms profusely until it freezes.

I love them for cut flowers and the bright and shiny look of them from the kitchen window, but have to admit they have few other virtues—no smell, and dont attract bees. Their chief virtue seems to be their vigor and dependability, and the bright and sculptural geometric flowers.