Chrysanthemum
Also known as a painted daisy, the Robinson red chrysanthemum adds beautiful drought-tolerant colorful blooms to the garden. While they are often sold in the fall and treated as annuals, these are perennial flowers that will provide attractive pollinator-friendly blooms year after year.
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New: Feverfew White Stars |
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Tanacetum coccineum |
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Easy |
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Intermediate |
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3 years if properly stored |
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Perennial |
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10-14 days |
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No |
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8-12” |
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Needs light to germinate Full Sun |
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90-95 F |
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February, March, April, and May |
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No |
Growing Tips
4 plants per 20” container
When to Start
Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. (Mid-Feb – Mid-March for Jefferson, GA)
Transplant: After hardening off and all danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
Direct Sow: After the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
How to Grow
To start indoors, start 6-8 weeks before the last frost. (End of February/March for GA.) Sow in cells and gently press into the seed starting mix as the seeds need light to germinate. Then place them under grow lights. Keep the soil moist but not soggy throughout the germination process. After hardening off, transplant or direct sow into full sun beds after the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for GA.)
Or direct sow after ALL danger of frost has passed. Gently press the seeds into the soil or very lightly cover them with soil to keep the wind from blowing the seeds away. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Space or thin the plants to 8-12”.
Care
Chrysanthemums like well-draining, rich soil. While chrysanthemums will tolerate light shade, they prefer full sun locations. They like average amounts of water. However, chrysanthemums won’t tolerate soggy roots or standing water. Provide appropriate drainage several inches down in the soil.
Dead-head plants to encourage more blossoms. Cut back the plants after blooming to encourage re-blooming. Flowers bloom in the summer and are good cut flowers. Divide the plants every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding. Add a layer of mulch to protect the chrysanthemums during the winter months.
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Insect dependent for pollination. Isolate 1/2 mile to prevent cross-pollination.
Instructions
Select healthy, robust plants free of any signs of disease or insect infestation for seeds. Seeds carry the traits of the parent plant. Choose plants that exhibit the traits you wish to preserve. Consider bloom size, color, and shape, as well as blooming time.
Allow the biggest and healthiest blooms to mature on the plant. Cover the seed head with a fine-mesh bag as soon as flower petals shrivel and die. Use an elastic band to hold the bag in place. This prevents seeds from spilling onto the soil before harvest.
Clip the flower head from the main stem once the seeds are dry and dark. Separate plant debris from the seeds by removing the mesh bag and placing the flower head in a paper bag and shaking to loosen the seeds. Seeds settle to the bottom of the bag. Remove plant debris by hand.
Features
- Drought tolerant
- Container friendly
- Attracts pollinators
- Good cut flowers
- Feverfew White Stars: Forms low mounds of small yellow-white fragrant blooms.
Cut back the flowers immediately after blooming to encourage more blooms.