This year the triumph for me as a gardener are the dahlias. I’ve grown dahlias since I started gardening, then three years ago, I start having a “black thumb” with them. From mosaic virus to rot from too much rain, I just could not keep them. This year I decided to give it one more go, and because I did not want to get my heart broken, I really have not done much with them. And here we are! My gardener’s heart is full of joy. Isn’t it crazy the things that make us happy? :)

This beauty is Kogana Fubuki, a decorative dahlia that I grew for the first time five years ago. I love the petals and —how in true dahlias fashion— the more you prune cut the flowers, the more it flowers. And as a celebration, it was mandatory that I use them for today’s IAVOM.

I am a fan of using one kind of flower for arrangements, but this needed some little bits of texture and colors, so I used Yarrow 'red Velvet (Achillea millefolium) and Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata). I did not use a lot— just wanted a little interest here and there.

For a vase, I used a vintage china sugar bowl that is a little bit bigger than most I’ve seen. I used clear tap to create a grid to hold the flowers in place since the flowers are heavy. One of the things I love about this dahlia is that the flowers grow mostly upright, making them easier to work with in arrangements.

Alright friends, don’t forget to visit Cathy to see how gardeners around the world use their imagination with what they find in the garden to create flower arrangements! Have a great day and happy gardening!

Other wonderful link-ups you may find me: Inspire Me Monday In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday, Nature Notes, Wonderful Wednesday Blog-Hop, Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, Garden Affair, Love Your Creativity Link-Party, Thursday Favorite Things, Floral Friday Fotos, Farmhouse Friday, Pink Saturday