Chrysanthemum Flame — an impressive perennial plant, often cultivated as an annual. The bushes are erect and strongly branching from the base, reaching a height of up to 70 cm. The leaves are emerald and lace-like, while the inflorescences are rounded heads ranging from 5 to 14.5 cm in diameter, with double petals and diverse colors: from white and orange to fiery red with a dark center. Blooming is abundant and long-lasting, starting in July and lasting until September; in some varieties, such as 'Dark Flame-Soft Gold', blooming occurs in late October to early November. Cut flowers retain freshness and decorative appeal for a long time, making chrysanthemum an excellent choice for floristry and interior decoration.
The plant is undemanding, sun-loving, cold-hardy, and sufficiently drought-tolerant. It prefers sunny locations with light, well-drained, moderately fertile, and lime-containing soils. For growing via seedlings, seeds are sown in late February to March at a temperature of +18-25°C, with seedlings appearing in 10-20 days. After the first true leaves emerge, seedlings are transplanted and planted in open ground from mid-May with a spacing of 35-40 cm. If sown densely, seedlings are thinned, and young plants are pinched to promote better branching. Seeds can also be sown directly into the open ground in April or under winter cover in late October. To maintain abundant and prolonged blooming, timely watering, weeding, loosening, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, and removing withered inflorescences are recommended.
Chrysanthemum Flame is widely used for decorating flowerbeds, high borders, and in combination with other decorative plants, such as heliotrope, salvia, marigolds, bells, and yarrow. It looks wonderful against a lawn backdrop and is suitable for the background and central plane of flower gardens. Thanks to its bright color and decorative qualities, the plant is a universal element of landscape design and potted culture.
