I am a patriotic person— I was in the military, so this is normal. I am not going to go into the political details that come with the “patriotic” label these days because frankly, it is ridiculous. But I will tell you something, I love this country and everything it represents. I am the product of the American Dream. While we Puerto Ricans are born U.S. citizens, my father always instilled in me a sense of gratefulness for the opportunities this country has afforded us. And so my brother both joined the military because we love the U.S.A. I am that nerdy person who cries when she hears the national anthem, and I feel my chest fill with emotion. I simply love my country.

All that to say that this year, I wanted to create a patriotic garden bed with flowers— specifically dahlias— that reflected my love for the U.S.A. Sadly, there are not that many dahlias out there named as such, but the two I found are just spectacular! I share the details below of these beauties that make me want to shout “God Bless The USA!”

Lady Liberty

• Bloom Size: 6"

• Bloom Style: Formal Decorative

• Bloom Time: Late (120 days). And they are not kidding— this dahlia is just now (late September) blooming

• Introduced in 2003

• Plant Height 4'

• Purchased from Swan Island Dahlias

American Beauty

• Color: Red (the perfect red color in my opinion)

• Bloom Size: 8"

• Bloom Style: Informal Decorative

• Bloom Time Average: (90 days)

• Plant Height: 4'

• Purchased from Swan Island Dahlias

Of note— these two dahlias pictured here are past their peak time. I was out of the state traveling to Charleston this past weekend, but came back in time to see them fully open. I still find them beautiful. And I wish I can say I could show you more later, but unfortunately we have our first frost forecasted for tonight, and that could spell disaster for dahlias because the frost will kill the foliage and blooms. This is when I wish I lived in North Carolina still. So, fingers crossed!

Here are other amazing link-ups I enjoy!

Mondays— Inspire Me Monday, Hearth & Soul, In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday, All About Home Link Party
Tuesdays— Nature Notes, Tuesday Turn About
Wednesdays— Wonderful Wednesday, Soaring with Him, Wonderful Wednesday Blog-Hop
Thursdays— Imparting Grace, Heart Encouragement, Be Thee Inspired, Full Plate Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Runfessions
Friday— Floral Friday, Friendship Friday Grace & Truth, Farmhouse Friday, Floral Friday Fotos, Community - Five Minute Friday, Fabulous Friday Link Party, Encouraging Hearts & Home, Fabulous Friday
Saturday & Sunday— Pink Saturday, Saturdays Sparks Link Party, Garden Affair, Six on Saturday

Monthly— Garden Bloggers Bloom Day