Bee Brave

In 2022, I planted 120 seedlings, and this one bloom reminded me of a little sunflower and the sunset, all bundled together, and it made me smile. But when it came time to make tough choices for long-term potential, I had determined to let it go, along with 110 of the other 120 seedlings I had planted that year.

So, in 2023, when all the RE originals started blooming, I saw the emergence of a sunflower and sunset... “Wait... what?!” I have no idea how it got here! Did I mark to save it somehow? Did I mark it with the wrong ID? Nevertheless… there it was for a second year, beaming in the garden, making me and the bees smile as if to say, “Not so fast!” So, at this point, I was determined to keep it for my garden because of the joy it brought and how much the bees loved it.

Then, in 2024, it stole the show. Amid a challenging growing season in Northern Georgia, where the weather tested everything in the garden, this little dahlia stood proud and tall, exploding with blooms. Each visit to the patch felt like stepping into a bee resort — one to four bumblebees could be found on nearly every flower, blissfully nestled in a nectar-induced coma.

After three seasons of unwavering charm, resilience, and the happiest bees I’d ever seen, I figured it was time to show my own bravery and introduce this “non-show-worthy” dahlia to the world. Honestly, it made me nervous to have it as my first release. I didn’t want to face the judgment that might be waiting. Would people see and experience the joy that I had? But this dahlia isn’t about winning ribbons at fairs — it’s about how it makes you feel. Its mini sunflower-meets-sunset aesthetic, strong stems, abundant blooms, great tubers, and solid vase life are exactly what I think gardeners are searching for.

So, for the brave gardeners and pollinator enthusiasts out there, this one is for you. Bee Brave wasn’t just saved — it insisted on being part of the story. And now, I can’t wait for it to become part of yours.