On 4/10/06 13:19, in article , "Rupert (W.Yorkshire)"
wrote:


"Sacha" wrote in message
...
We have two entirely different to look at Dahlias, both claiming to be D.
imperialis. 'Ours' grows to something like 10 or 12 feet. In the
greenhouse it goes straight up and out through the roof, flowering at the
very top with rather dull single flowered blooms. OTOH, we have a
wonderful one, also called D. imperialis which David Hill, who used to
post
here, gave us from his Abacus Nurseries. It grows to about 8' and has
wonderful deep pink double blooms in profusion. Anyone any idea whether
one
is a sport of the other or whether we have got two entirely different
plants, one named incorrectly? I'm pretty sure 'our' D. imperialis is
named
properly because it's easily identified by photographs. The other is just
like a normal Dahlia except in its height.
--

I can't shed much light on your query but I know that D.imperialis is grown
by the exotic plant brigade who go for height and foliage and not the
flowers.
This link more or less confirms what I think (scroll to Dahlia)
http://www.junglegardens.co.uk/Plant...&target=d19.ht
ml

It can flower in the gardens of the warmer areas and ours has here though,
strangely enough, not yet this year. However we always emphasise that it's
a curiosity not a' serious' flowering plant if that's what people are after.
I must say I'm still trying to get my breath back after seeing the price
they sell those for!
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/