Dahlia ‘Mystic Spirit’

Dahlia ‘Mystic Spirit’ is a captivating dahlia variety, offering a unique blend of striking foliage, warm-colored blooms, and adaptable usage. Whether featured in a garden, used in floral designs, or simply enjoyed as part of a diverse plant collection, ‘Mystic Spirit’ brings a sense of vibrancy and style to any setting. Its manageable growth and stunning visual appeal make it a popular choice for gardeners and floral enthusiasts alike, adding a touch of mystical beauty wherever it grows.

Dahlia ‘Mystic Spirit’: An In-depth Look

Dahlia ‘Mystic Spirit’ is a part of the Mystic Dahlia series, known for its unique foliage and flower combination. This variety falls into the single-flowered dahlia category, characterized by a single layer of petals around a central disc, giving it a natural and open appearance.

Native: Dahlias are native to Mexico and Central America. This cultivar results from extensive breeding and does not occur naturally in the wild.

Plant Type and Habit: This dahlia is a tuberous-rooted perennial with a bushy, upright growth habit. It is known for its robust and vigorous growth, forming a well-structured plant that’s both aesthetically pleasing and resilient.

Size: It generally reaches about 32 inches in height (80 cm) and spreads around 18-24 inches (30-60 cm), depending on growing conditions.

Flowers: The flowers of ‘Mystic Spirit’ are striking, with a diameter of about 4 inches (10 cm). Each bloom features petals in a soft, apricot hue with blush peach overtones, creating a warm and inviting look. The petals surround a contrasting deep burgundy central disc, which attracts pollinators.

Bloom Time: Blooming from mid-summer until the first frost it provides long-lasting color in the garden.

Foliage: One of the distinctive features of ‘Mystic Spirit’ is its dark, almost black foliage. The deep color of the leaves provides a dramatic backdrop for the soft orange flowers, enhancing their visual impact.

Uses: ‘Mystic Spirit’ is highly versatile. It’s ideal for adding a pop of color to borders and beds, and its unique foliage makes it a standout in container gardens. The plant’s size and form make it suitable for urban gardens and smaller spaces. In floral arrangements, its blooms add a touch of elegance and warmth.

Hardiness: Dahlias are hardy in USDA zones 8-11. In colder zones, tubers need to be lifted and stored over winter.

Toxicity: Dahlias are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Their ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal upset and other health issues in pets and livestock.

Wildlife: The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Deer and Rabbit: Dahlias are somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits but may still be vulnerable to browsing.

Invasiveness: Not invasive; dahlias grow from tubers and do not spread aggressively.

Dahlia Growing Tips

Light: Dahlias love the sun, so choose a location with at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.

Soil: Dahlias prefer well-drained, loamy soil. They don’t tolerate water-logged conditions, so if your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with compost or peat moss to improve drainage.

Planting Time: Dahlias are usually planted in the spring after the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.

Planting Depth: Dahlia tubers should be planted about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) deep, with the “eye” (the small bump from where the stem will grow) facing upward.

Watering: Dahlias like consistent moisture. Water them deeply a couple of times a week, more often if your area is experiencing a drought. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Fertilizing: Dahlias respond well to low-nitrogen fertilizers, such as a 5-10-10 or 10-20-20. Too much nitrogen can lead to lush, leafy growth and fewer flowers.

Deadheading: Regularly removing the spent flowers (deadheading) will keep your dahlias producing more blooms.

Overwintering: In colder climates (zones 7 and below), you’ll need to dig up and store the tubers indoors over the winter.

Pests and Diseases: Dahlias are generally relatively disease and pest-resistant, but there are a few common issues to watch out such as aphids, botrytis blight, earwigs, powdery mildew, slugs and snails, spider mites, and thrips.