Mystic Illusion Dahlia (Dahlia 'Mystic Illusion')
DAH-lee-ah 'Mystic Illusion'

Deciduous Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Bushy in the Asteraceae Family
Lemon-yellow blooms glow against near-black foliage on this dramatic, powdery-mildew-resistant dahlia.
Mystic Illusion pairs clear lemon-yellow single flowers with striking dark purple, almost black foliage, standing 18-36 inches tall and 12-16 inches wide. The contrast makes it a standout thriller in containers or mixed borders, and the plant shows good resistance to powdery mildew, a common dahlia problem. Blooms steadily from planting through the first frost in full sun. In the Chicago area, dahlia tubers are perennial where hardy but are typically grown as colorful annuals, being lifted and stored (or simply replaced) each fall.

Pros

  • An enormous range of flower colors, patterns, and forms — something for nearly any color scheme.
  • Reliable, continuous blooming from midsummer straight through the first hard frost.
  • Many compact series are bred specifically for pots and patio containers.
  • Tubers can be dug, stored, and replanted year after year instead of buying new plants annually.

Cons

This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights Award Winner Heat Tolerant
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 18 - 36 inches tall. 12 - 16 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 7a - 10b (Usually hardy to 0° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Full Sun, Good for Cut Flowers, Medium, Perennial, Showy Flowers, Tender Perennial, Thrillers
Bloom Period Planting To Frost
Flower Color Yellow
Foliage Color Purple
 

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Photos of This with...

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 05/31
2024 : 02/08 - 05/18
2023 : 03/02 - 05/21

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!