Clara Curtis chrysanthemum - Clara Curtis Chrysanthemums

Backyardgardener, LLC
1802 Beacon CT NE
Tacoma, WA
USA

'Clara Curtis' belongs to the rubellum group and bears lightly aromatic and long-lived single, sometimes semi-double flowers in pink. Chrysanthemum is made up of both annuals, and perennials and are best known for their showy flowers. There are twelve different flowerhead forms which distinguish the different chrysanthemums. Colors range from yellow to red to pink to brown and bloom time ranges from midsummer through fall. There are seven main groups of chrysanthemums: 1. Exhibition, which are perennials grown for show, garden use, and cutting. 2. Spray, which produce multiple flowers per stem and are grown for garden decoration and cutting. 3. Charm, which are dwarf, bushy, and rounded in habit and are grown primarily for indoor decoration, exhibition and bonsai. 4. Cascade, which are similar to charm, but trained as fans, pillars, pyramids, or cascades, are grown primarily for indoor decoration. 5. Pompon, are dwarf and bushy, providing multiple (up to 50), dense flowers per plant. 6. Rubellum, is a group of bushy perennials with woody base. Leaves are pinnatisect and have a silvery cast and flowers have yellow, daisy-like centers. They are perfect for the border and for cutting. 7. Garden chrysanthemums have a bushy, branching habit and bear clusterd flowerheads. Flowering over a long period, they are perfect for the border. Chrysanthemums do best in full sun in soil that is slightly moist, fertile, neutral to slightly acid, and well-drained. Make sure that plants are fertilized every two weeks from midsummer until buds begin to show color. To ensure a full flush of flowers, discontinue pinching by July 15 in cooler climates, and July 25 in warmer climates. At the onset of winter in really cold areas, crowns may be lifted and stored once tops have been cut back to 6 inches. In milder climates, cut back and mulch well. Because the centers of chrysanthemums die out, you will want to divided the plant and replant either in the late fall or early spring every couple of years.