Choose Gladiolus and Dahlias in High-Voltage Colors

Orange flowers, such as this Mrs. Eileen Dahlia, are sure to jazz up a border. Combine it with purple, such as the Thomas Edison Dahlia—electric!   Photo by Ramona Boone of Colorado Springs, Colo.
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Hot colors are all the rage in today's flower gardens. Purples, reds and oranges--the brighter the better! If you want to add a jolt of color to your gardens and flower arrangements this summer, check out some of the vividly colored new gladiolus and dahlias from Dutch Gardens.

Dahlias are unbeatable as cut flowers, and they're also a great way to add late-summer drama to the perennial border. Plant them this spring and they'll ensure your garden is filled with traffic-stopping color all summer long.

Purple is definitely one of the "in" colors right now, and Dutch Gardens offers a number of beautiful purple dahlias. Lilac Time is a customer favorite, with huge blooms measuring up to 10-12 inches across, and attractive blue-green foliage. For deep purple drama, Thomas Edison has no peer. Each dinnerplate-size bloom is a bouquet unto itself.

What can you combine with your purple dahlias for 100-volt color? How about orange? Mrs. Eileen is as orange as it gets. There's simply nothing that compares with these huge, 10" blooms. Or how about yellow? Kelvin Floodlight's egg yolk yellow flowers are a smashing contrast with purple. Ready to pull out all the stops? Try a purple and red combo! For a can't-miss red dahlia, choose fire-engine red Zorro.

For another source of bold color in the garden or in arrangements, consider planting gladiolus. Each stem is a regal spire of vivid color, with individual blooms that open successively over a week or more. Imagine the impact of a late-summer bouquet that includes purple Macarena, blue-violet Saphir, deep, velvety red Black Jack, brilliant red Wigs Sensation and sunny yellow Morning Gold. Wow!

For these varieties and dozens of other fabulous, technicolor flowers, browse through the complete Dutch Gardens offering of dahlias and glads. For expert tips on planting and care, read The Basics: Dahlias or The Basics: Gladiolus.