Deb Collette is a dahlia grower, exhibitor, floral art judge, and dahlia show judge based in Victoria. She grew up in rural New Zealand, where she gained early experience in gardening and exhibiting flowers.

An active member of the Dahlia Society of Victoria and regular contributor to its magazine, Deb focuses on breeding new dahlia varieties, maintaining heritage lines, and supporting competitive exhibiting. She has won multiple championships and mentors new growers. In this episode you'll hear:

• How Deb's great-great-great-grandfather carried dahlia tubers from England to New Zealand in 1841, starting a family tradition that flows through generations

• Her journey from chemistry labs to becoming one of Australia's most trusted voices in the dahlia world

• Growing a "collector's garden"

• How specialist plant and flower societies create community and belonging around shared passion

• The fascinating world of dahlia genetics, where every seed creates a unique individual

• Her approach to breeding dahlias and what makes the "cut" in her garden

• The stories behind dahlia names and the heritage she's helped preserve through research

• Pre-rational plant memories: the violets, daphne, and New Zealand natives that anchor her to childhood

• Why she believes it takes just as much effort to grow a bad dahlia as a good one

• Plus answers to burning dahlia questions from listeners

Follow Deb on Instagram @debsdahlias

Follow Cass on Instagram - @the_sentimental_gardener. Links to social pages and more are available at bio.site/thesentimentalgardener.

Read show notes about the guests and access the full transcript by visiting thesentimentalgardener.com/podcasts

Credits: Music: Hayden Schueler from @vereyagardening Audio Engineering: Tom Dowding Production and editing: Cass Dowding See libsyn.com/tos-policies/privacy-policy for privacy information.