PHOTO BY DEB D’ANDREA[/caption]

Cool rain gently poured Friday evening as Ron Mitchell and Deb D’Andrea walked Nederland, clippers in hand. They carefully selected the finest dahlias for the Saturday, September 10, 2022, Annual Colorado Dahlia Show at The Flower Bin. Rain droplets dripped off flower petals as they were gently placed in water buckets for transportation.

Mitchell has competed in the Dahlia Show for the past eight years, tenderly caring for his dahlias months prior. He begins indoors with small tubers while Nederland’s snowy, mountain springtime blows by. Then, he plants varieties of dahlias throughout town which blossom into full, bushy flowers come late summer. It is beauty for all to enjoy.

This love of flowers, born long ago. It is a dedication honoring Eudora Covey, Mitchell’s great-grandmother, who arrived in a covered wagon as a pioneer. She was well known for her eye-catching flowerful beauties and generosity.

The 2022 Annual Colorado Dahlia competition awarded Mitchell with not one or two, but four first prizes; one second prize; and overall, Princess of the Show, third place for the whole show! A season of caring for his beloved dahlias and recognized for not only producing award winning flowers, but fulfilling dreams for raising exquisite, unique flowers. And that many appreciate while visiting Nederland. Now, it’s time to plan for next year.

So, as you walk around Nederland, we hope you’ll escape into the world of beauty when you see the award- winning flowers Ron Mitchell has poured much love into.