If there is a golden retriever puppy of the plant world, it has to be a dahlia. I mean, everybody loves golden retriever puppies, right? And everyone loves dahlias, too?

This year, I only added one selection of dahlia to the gardens at CMBG. It is Dahlia ‘Mystic Illusion.’ We planted it in late April and it is still flowering! This plant is a winner. Bred by Dr. Keith Hammett from New Zealand, this patented plant has big, single yellow flowers atop dark, near black foliage. Like most dahlias, this is an annual in our area as it is only hardy in USDA zone 9. I was somewhat familiar with a similar plant, Dahlia ‘Yellow Hammer’ and this one is even better. The flowers are held up above the foliage. The foliage is reminiscent of Dahlia ‘Bishop of Llandaff.’ Mystic Illusion is better in the way it holds its flowers up for you to see. My biggest disappointment with both Bishop of Llandaff and Yellow Hammer was that the flowers were not held up higher above the foliage. Mystic Illusion is touted as not needing staking and thus far, it is behaving as it should.

Next year, I believe that we will try even more of the Mystic dahlia series. This first one has been outstanding and I am noticing most guests stopping and looking at the plant as they pass by.

Do you grow dahlias in your garden? Have you tried any of the Mystic series?

–Rodney

Photos – mrwallpaper.com, photos.lifeasahuman.com, tried-and-true.com