Annual Dahlia Challenge
The Dahlia Challenge was started in order to continue the traditions of Lakeside Gardens that was owned by Nick Koenig and his family. Lakeside Gardens in New Baltimore, Michigan, grew Dahlias like Holland Michigan grows tulips. Although Lakeside Gardens no longer exists, a sampling of the many varieties of Dahlias that were grown, are planted each year in a raised garden bed at the entrance to the Walter and Mary Burke Park in downtown New Baltimore. A plaque commerating Nick Koenig as "America's Dahlia King" is located inside the flower bed. The flower bed is maintained to this day by members of the Koenig family. A park bench that sits just to the side of the flower bed was purchased in memory of Katherine Fisher, one of Nick Koenig's daughters.
Dahlia tubers that are dug up in the fall from the flower bed are divided and then replanted the next spring. The additional tubers that develope during the growing season are then "adopted" by individuals with the promise that they will make every effort to grow the dahlia at home. At the end of the summer all of the adoptees meet at the flower bed and bring a sample cutting of their blooms. The blooms are judged by members of the Koenig family and prizes are awarded for the following categories for 2014: Best Bloom 1st Place, Best Bloom 2nd Place, Best Bloom 3rd Place, and Most Unique Bloom
Judging will take place on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 at 12 Noon. Please bring a cutting of your best bloom to the Walter & Mary Burke Park at the Dahlia flower bed at the top of the stairs leading down to the beach. (No Photo Entries This Year) We will be set up at around 11:00 am and will have your entry stub to attach to your bloom. Hope you had fun this summer! Good luck!
Dahlia tubers that are dug up in the fall from the flower bed are divided and then replanted the next spring. The additional tubers that develope during the growing season are then "adopted" by individuals with the promise that they will make every effort to grow the dahlia at home. At the end of the summer all of the adoptees meet at the flower bed and bring a sample cutting of their blooms. The blooms are judged by members of the Koenig family and prizes are awarded for the following categories for 2014: Best Bloom 1st Place, Best Bloom 2nd Place, Best Bloom 3rd Place, and Most Unique Bloom
Judging will take place on Sunday, September 28th, 2014 at 12 Noon. Please bring a cutting of your best bloom to the Walter & Mary Burke Park at the Dahlia flower bed at the top of the stairs leading down to the beach. (No Photo Entries This Year) We will be set up at around 11:00 am and will have your entry stub to attach to your bloom. Hope you had fun this summer! Good luck!