Fakel is an annual herbaceous plant growing about 40-50 cm tall with a sturdy stem and large, elongated egg-shaped leaves that turn multicolored in autumn. The flower spikes are upright, dark purple, and change to chocolate-brown in autumn, giving the plant all-season decorative appeal. Leaves start green and become multicolored with the onset of cold weather, making the plant especially striking in autumn.
This heat-loving plant prefers sunny, wind-protected areas with fertile, loose, drained, and sufficiently moist soil. Fakel cannot withstand frost, so sowing seeds is recommended in April in a greenhouse for seedlings or in May directly into open ground for permanent planting. Seedlings appear within 4-6 days when sown for seedlings and within 12-20 days when sown directly into the ground. Flowering lasts from June until the first frost.
Fakel is widely used in landscape design and floristics. It looks excellent both in single and group plantings on lawns, rabatki, and is suitable for greening walls and fences. Thanks to its decorative coloring and flower spike shape, the plant is often used for cutting and creating bouquets, adding expressiveness and color richness.
