Not for this year (it's sold out), but Old House Gardens sells a dahlia called Wisconsin Red that is especially easy to winter over and has survived over the years as a passalong plant. (Story here: https://oldhousegardens.com/MoreAboutWisconsinRed) It fits into your vibe of a "farmer's wife" garden--that's what I call pretty plants that take care of themselves, like the plants in your grandmother's garden. Lilacs qualify, too. In the old days, a farmer's wife was way too busy doing her share to keep the farm running to have time for plants that needed fussing, but she did appreciate beauty when it was easy.
So much to say on this! I received a look alike dahlia from a neighbor when I moved her. She had received it from her neighbor year back. Even decades back If I remember correctly? Visually I don't see any difference between the one I received and the one discussed in that article. Also it has all the same attributes - prolific, easy easy to store. The one I have also blooms v early in the season relative to other cultivars. If it's not the same plant as "Catherine Becker" I'd bet they share a lot of genetics.
And your description of "farmer's wife garden" is perfect. That's exactly what I'm after. (and yes on the lilacs too - can't imagine spring around here without them. We had three beautiful, old ones here when we bought the place and i've added in several more using suckers from the "mother plants" )
Not for this year (it's sold out), but Old House Gardens sells a dahlia called Wisconsin Red that is especially easy to winter over and has survived over the years as a passalong plant. (Story here: https://oldhousegardens.com/MoreAboutWisconsinRed) It fits into your vibe of a "farmer's wife" garden--that's what I call pretty plants that take care of themselves, like the plants in your grandmother's garden. Lilacs qualify, too. In the old days, a farmer's wife was way too busy doing her share to keep the farm running to have time for plants that needed fussing, but she did appreciate beauty when it was easy.
So much to say on this! I received a look alike dahlia from a neighbor when I moved her. She had received it from her neighbor year back. Even decades back If I remember correctly? Visually I don't see any difference between the one I received and the one discussed in that article. Also it has all the same attributes - prolific, easy easy to store. The one I have also blooms v early in the season relative to other cultivars. If it's not the same plant as "Catherine Becker" I'd bet they share a lot of genetics.
And your description of "farmer's wife garden" is perfect. That's exactly what I'm after. (and yes on the lilacs too - can't imagine spring around here without them. We had three beautiful, old ones here when we bought the place and i've added in several more using suckers from the "mother plants" )