Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel' (Sin)
ABOUT
The Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel' is an ornamental plant known for its striking and vibrant flowers. The blossoms are characterized by a unique coloration, typically displaying a contrast between white and another color which can range from red to purple hues. These petals are arranged in an intricate pattern, giving the blooms a full, almost fluffy, appearance. The contrasting center is often a deeper, eye-catching tone that further accentuates the two-tone effect of the petals. The leaves of 'Twyning's Revel' are a lush green, providing a vivid backdrop for the bright flowers. They are typically pinnate with leaflets arranged on either side of a central stem, and their edges can be smooth or slightly serrated. These leaves lend a robust and dense look to the plant, contributing to its ornamental appeal. The overall shape of the plant is bushy, with a strong central stem and several branching stems that support the flowers. This dahlia variety is appreciated not just for its striking blooms but also for the contribution it makes to garden aesthetics with its form and foliage that remain attractive throughout the growing season, even when not in bloom.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Dahlia, Garden Dahlia
Common names
Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel'
- Toxicity
To humans
Dahlias, including the Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel', are generally considered non-toxic to humans. Ingesting any part of the dahlia plant is unlikely to cause serious harm or poisoning. However, as with any non-food plant, eating large quantities may potentially cause mild stomach upset. It is always advisable to eat plants that are known to be safe for consumption and to avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants.
To pets
Dahlias, including the Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel', are generally considered non-toxic to pets as well. While the consumption of dahlia flowers or tubers is unlikely to cause serious illness, ingestion may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Always keep an eye on your pets and discourage them from eating plants not specifically meant for consumption.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
4 feet (1.2 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.6 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Vibrant Aesthetics: Adds a splash of color and visual interest to gardens with its striking blooms.
- Attracts Pollinators: Brings in beneficial insects like bees and butterflies that aid in pollination.
- Long Blooming Season: Offers a lengthy display of flowers, often from summer into fall, enhancing garden beauty for an extended period.
- Versatility: Suitable for beds, borders, and containers, allowing for varied garden designs and uses.
- Cut Flower: Makes excellent bouquets and floral arrangements, having a good vase life and a variety of colors.
- Competitive Shows: Often used in floral competitions and shows due to its striking appearance and array of colors.
- Garden Diversity: Introduces an element of diversity into the garden, which can help promote a healthy ecosystem.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Photography: The striking patterns and vivid colors of Dahlia Twyning's Revel make it a popular subject for photographers and can be used to enhance portfolios or art projects.
- Edible Tubers: While not common, the tubers of some dahlia varieties, including Twyning's Revel, can be eaten and have a flavor similar to that of sweet potatoes when cooked.
- Educational Tool: Dahlias can be used in educational settings to teach students about plant biology, hybridization, and horticulture due to their diverse colors and forms.
- Dye Production: The brightly colored petals of the dahlia can provide natural dyes for textiles or art projects.
- Floral Arrangement Workshops: The variety of Twyning's Revel dahlias are ideal for floral design classes given their unique appearance and the skills needed to handle them effectively in arrangements.
- Mood Enhancing Decor: Displaying Dahlia Twyning's Revel in living spaces can boost mood, providing a natural aesthetic that promotes relaxation and happiness.
- Themed Events: Dahlias can be used to create specific color themes for events such as weddings, anniversaries, or corporate functions, adding elegance and vibrancy to the decor.
- Eco-Friendly Confetti: Dried petals of Dahlias can be used as biodegradable confetti for celebrations, reducing the environmental impact compared to their plastic counterparts.
- Garden Therapy: Engaging in the cultivation and care of Dahlia Twyning's Revel can be a form of garden therapy, offering a calming and therapeutic hobby for people of all ages.
- Composting: After the blooming season, the spent biomass of dahlias can be composted to enrich the soil and promote the growth of other garden plants.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Dahlia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Dahlia is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Elegance and Dignity: Dahlias often symbolize elegance and dignity due to their intricate petals and stunning blooms.
- Change and Diversity: The wide range of colors and forms of Dahlias represent diversity and the ability to stand out in a crowd. 'Twyning's Revel', with its unique appearance, echoes this symbolism.
- Commitment and Bond: Dahlia flowers are commonly associated with lasting bonds and commitments between individuals, making it a popular choice in celebrations of relationships.
- Creativity: Dahlias, especially varieties like 'Twyning's Revel' that have unique color patterns, are emblematic of creativity and innovation, celebrating originality.
- Inner Strength: The sturdy structure of the Dahlia symbolizes strength and the ability to thrive in challenging circumstances.
- Water
Dahlias should be watered deeply with about one to two inches of water once to twice a week, more frequently during hot, dry periods. It’s important to avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Instead, aim water directly at the soil level. During the growing season, a general guide is to provide at least one gallon of water per week, but always check the soil first to ensure it's dry an inch or two below the surface before watering again. Over-watering can be as harmful as under-watering, so be cautious of soggy soil.
- Light
Dahlias thrive in a location with full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. This ensures vigorous growth and optimal blooming. They do best when they are placed in a spot where they receive morning sunlight and some protection from the intense heat of the late afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates.
- Temperature
Dahlias grow best in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F but can survive in a range from 50°F to 90°F. Frost is detrimental to dahlias, so they should be planted once all danger of frost has passed and dug up to overwinter in hardiness zones cooler than USDA zone 8. The ideal conditions for these flowers are warm days and cool nights.
- Pruning
Pruning dahlias, or deadheading, is vital for encouraging more blooms and maintaining a tidy appearance. Remove spent flower heads regularly to promote continuous flowering. Cut back the stems to the next set of leaves to encourage bushiness. The best time for major pruning is early spring, when you're cutting back last year's growth just as the new shoots appear from the tubers.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Dahlias thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH level ranging from 6.5 to 7.0. A good soil mix for Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel' includes equal parts garden soil, peat or coconut coir, and perlite or sand to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Enriching the soil with compost or well-rotted manure will promote healthy growth and flower production.
- Repotting
Dahlias, including 'Twyning's Revel', benefit from being repotted annually, as they are typically grown from tubers planted each spring after the danger of frost has passed. The tubers are lifted and stored during the winter in colder climates, making repotting a part of the yearly cycle of growing dahlias.
- Humidity & Misting
Dahlias like 'Twyning's Revel' prefer average ambient humidity levels. They do not require particularly high humidity environments; as long as the outdoor or indoor air isn't excessively dry, the plant should thrive without the need for specialized humidity conditions.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Ensure bright light, consistent moisture, and good ventilation for indoor Dahlias.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, ensure good drainage, and protect from strong winds outdoor.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA
- Life cycle
Dahlias, including the 'Twyning's Revel' variety, typically begin their life as tubers planted after the last frost in spring. Once planted, the tubers sprout and the Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel' starts its vegetative growth, developing stems and leaves. As the plant matures during the warm summer months, it enters the flowering stage, producing distinctive blooms that vary in color, often with a striking contrast between white petals and a dark central disc. After the flowering period, if seeds have developed and are allowed to mature, they can be collected for future planting, although many growers prefer to propagate through division of the tubers for exact genetic replication. As temperatures cool and the growing season ends, the Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel' enters dormancy; the aerial parts die back and the plant survives the winter as dormant tubers underground. In the subsequent spring, the cycle can begin again when the tubers are either left in the ground or stored and replanted after the risk of frost has passed.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Late Winter-Early Spring
The most popular method of propagating Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel' is by dividing its tuberous roots. This is best done in early spring, just as the new growth begins to emerge from the tubers. Gardeners should carefully lift the tubers from the soil with a spade and gently brush off any excess dirt. Using a sharp knife, each tuber is cut into sections, ensuring that each division has at least one eye, or growth point, from which new shoots will emerge. The cuts should be treated with a fungicide to prevent rot and then the divisions can be planted immediately, positioning them so that the top of the tuber is about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) below the soil surface. This allows the Dahlia 'Twyning's Revel' to regenerate and produce new plants that will blossom in the following season.