Stormy's Garden

 "I was able to propagate from other people's dahlias that were in town ... and I started propagating them just because it's fun to do, to make a plant out of just a little shoot ... and that led me into it ... "

 — Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo
Provincetown, MA dahlia grower and marine biologist

What is special about Stormy Mayo's Provincetown dahlia garden?

People know Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo for his expertise with North Atlantic right whales, but he holds another reputation as well: In his Provincetown, MA garden he cultivates a passion for dramatic dahlias. With more than 600 flowers fronting the street of his home, the abundance and diversity of flowers draws interest from visitors, artists, and other gardeners, and has become a destination landmark of sorts in Provincetown.

How did the garden start?

Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo says he started with some tubers that had been planted by this late first wife, and soon the fascination of propagating diverse flowers grew into hundreds of plants.  Today he cross breeds and tracks his flowers,  creating new variants and amassing an eye-catching seven gardens, which have been reflected in artwork and in the local lore of the town.

How has the dahlia garden grown?

From its humble beginnings, the garden expanded over time to seven gardens and now features a range of different dahlias. Mayo grows known cultivars and show dahlias, as well as growing new plants from seed  - and ending up with beautiful and sometimes surprising new flowers. The flowers last until the first hard frost of the year, then go dormant until they are replanted in the next season.

More fall Cape Cod gardening stories:

• In the Garden 2023 - Fall Planning for Spring Blooms
• In The Garden 2022 - Glorious September