National Dahlia Society Trials

We had a lovely visit to Golden Acre Park, Leeds, today.
There were lots of photos taken but as our visit was mainly to see the dahlias decided this collage should be my main blip.
They were stunning as always, but not quite as many this year. Maybe because of the cold wet weather we had earlier this year.

We always visit Adel Dam Wildlife Reserve, but couldn’t do the full walk round the woods because a large tree had come down during Storm Lilian, blocking the boardwalk.
See extra collage.
There were three Yorkshire Wildlife volunteers who warned us of the closure and said they were going to clear the path as soon as possible.

As well as looking at the dahlias we walked round the rest of the garden. See collage.
Some areas were beginning to look rather autumnal.

We reached one of the greenhouses where exotic plants used to be grown, along with a small fish pond full of carp. It is now closed to the public and is gradually deteriorating.
However I noticed a huge plant, which was about 12 ft.high and growing through the broken glass. (Second extra.)
There was a notice board nearby which told you all about the strange plant.
( The following is not for the squeamish!)
After 15 years it first flowered in 2018.
Then only flowers about every 10 years, so that is probably why we haven’t seen it before.
It is called Puya Chilensis. Also known as
“ Sheep- eating -plant” as the spines can snag the sheep’s wool trapping the animal causing it to starve and die at the base of the plant.
The plant may then feed off the remains as fertiliser.
A relative of the pineapple family and a native of Chile it is now quite rare.
Must say I found this interesting.

It was a warm day about 23C. Hazy sun and we managed to get home before it started raining.

A very enjoyable day.