Photo Essay: Dallying with Dahlias
By Marie Freeman

Hans Christian Anderson said, "Just living is not enough... One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." So it is fortunate for the friends and family of Morris Greer that he has plenty of all three. What started out five years ago with a patch of 30 throw-away dahlia bulbs salvaged from a box in the corner of Southern States has grown into a passion for this Vilas man. Greer, a retired Charlotte firefighter, now spends his days maintaining more than 500 dahlia plants that circle the home he shares with his wife Jane. "Last year I gave away more than 25 bushels of bulbs. They keep multiplying," he said. But don't think for a moment that he is complaining. As we walk around his yard, he is quick to point out each of the 15 varieties and their genetically changed offspring. "See, look at this lavender one and on the same plant there's this striped one on the stem next to it," Greer said. It seems as if Greer has personally inspected each bloom. And in a way, he has. Greer spends two hours a day just picking the blossoms. And then even more hours staking the five-foot plants. He refuses to let his efforts go to waste. "When people come for a visit, nobody leaves here without a vase," said Greer as he offered me a lovely bouquet. I smiled and said, "Thank you." For Greer, growing dahlias is not about anything more complicated than that he would rather spend his free time in his garden. "I just enjoy planting my flowers and in the end, I like for others to enjoy them too. I like to see them smile. And if a flower doesn't bring a smile then there's something plain wrong with you." said Greer. Indeed.