A dazzle of dahlias

Today I take advantage of a short break in the rain to venture out for a stroll in the University Parks. It is a favourite destination of mine, the familiarity of its paths and trees a constant comfort. But this morning as I reach the south walk and head for home, something I wasn’t quite expecting takes my breath away. Stops me in my tracks. I’m used at this time of year to the rusts and copper colours of autumn, but here was something much brighter and more showy. What I can only describe as a dazzle, a delight, a drama, the best collective nouns I can dream up for what are surely the crown jewels of October’s flowers, dahlias. 

Crimson, apricot, tangerine, terracotta. Bright white, wine dark, plum, powder pink. Brought over to England from Mexico via Madrid in the late 18^th century and bred into a thousand different varieties. Dainty pom poms of intricate geometry; glamourous goliaths of dinner plate proportions; blousy, broad, spikey, stripey, ruffled, ruched, velvet and voile. Oxford summer balls may be long gone, but here you can see the best of this season’s outfits. 

So I want to thank the people of the parks for their surprise new planting. It has made my day. But you must hurry if you wish to see it. For even as I write rain has again begun to lash against the window pane, threatening to strip the flowers of their petals and cripple their heavy headed poise. However, if you don’t make it in time, I hope the snaps I took below will suffice to help you through the winter months. A little bit of dahlia razzle dazzle. Until next year. 

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Autumn in Oxford