Dahlia Fields act as an


NURSERY TIMES


As a boy Nick Gilbert saw his father Percy grow dahlias in the back garden and win cups at the local show. Neighbours would come to admire the flowers and take bunches of flowers home.


That inspiration from his childhood has materialised into a business, with gold medals won at major shows with his own dahlias from his own nursery.


Nick and Helen Gilbert – dahlias are something of an obsession


In August, September and through to the first frosts,


the two-acre Dahlia Field at the nursery near Romsey is ablaze with colour and customers can pick out their favourites, or just visit and be amazed at the different colours, shapes and sizes of these plants that have become fashionable once again.


After 20 years in the landscaping business, Nick saw the nursery at Sherfield English for sale in 2005. He stepped in smartly, but it was very run down and dilapidated, having been closed for three years. He and his wife Helen worked hard renovating the site before opening to the public in 2006.


Now they sell a wide range of plants, much of it grown at the nursery which is open throughout the year, selling seasonal bedding, perennials, seed potatoes, peas and beans, bare rooted fruit canes, climbers, shrubs and trees, compost, pots and sundries to go with them. A design and planting service is also available.


The Dahlia Field with 540 varieties of dahlias


But it is the dahlias that are Nick’s obsession. The Dahlia Field, with about 540 varieties of dahlias of all colours, shapes and sizes, opens in August and is the showcase for his efforts. There is seating around the field, wide grass pathways to enable visitors to study


the flowers more closely, and the tea rooms overlooking the field serves light lunches and teas – and the popular all-day breakfast.


The Gilberts started to take the dahlias on the road to shows last year, winning gold medals at the New Forest Show and Romsey Show. They travelled to the Taunton Flower Show in August,


The Gilbert’s made the trip to Taunton Flower Show in August, winning a silver-gilt medal in the Floral Marquee


winning a silver-gilt medal in the Floral Marquee, and plan to travel to more shows next year, including the Malvern shows.


They are also producing their own dahlias. There are more than 65 seedlings growing for next year and already named.


“People think that dahlias are all big and blousy, but there are many that are delicate,” said Nick. “A colorette type such as Clair de Lune, for instance, is a single petalled flower, and very good for bees as it’s so open.”


The nursery catalogue lists the pompons, the ball shapes, water lily, collorette, and cactus dahlias. Plants are sent out as rooted cuttings from the end of April and early May, as potted plants from July, and a selection of tubers from December to February. All are available for sale at the nursery or by mail order.


Some are supplied by another dahlia enthusiast, 78-year- old Ken Stock, who brings on hundreds of plants in his garden in Bournemouth. Ken has recently been in the national press for his charity fundraising, opening his garden to visitors. Nick has done the same, opening the field for the NGS and raising nearly £1,000.


“He reminds me of my dad,” says Nick of the man who has been a friend and mentor, sharing the obsession.


“I watched my father grow all those dahlias and I wasn’t very


interested when I was young,” said Nick. “But later after running the landscaping business, I just wanted to grow them myself.”


“They are great all-round value. You can have colour right through the summer until the first frosts, in borders, containers on patios and for cutting for the house.”


Perhaps son Matthew, aged 12, or Emily, aged 8, who at present just enjoy travelling to the shows, will make it a third generation success.


Gilbert’s Nursery, Dandys Ford Lane, Sherfield English, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6DT. On the A27 leading from Romsey to Whiteparish. Tea rooms open all day when the nursery is open, throughout the year. The Dahlia Field is open from August to the first frosts.


Ring the nursery on 01794 322566 to check details of opening times, or visit the website for more details and to see the online catalogue: www.kesdahlias.co.uk/nickgilbert.htm


Country Gardener 33


inspiration – and a showcase by Vivienne Lewis


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