Chrysanthemums belong to the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. Confucius was the first to write about these flowers, which means that in the 1st century BC China already knew about chrysanthemums and successfully used them in medicine, cosmetology and perfumery. Today, several thousand varieties of these amazing flowers are known; chrysanthemum varieties differ not only in color, but also in the shape of the petals, the size of the bush, and flowering time. One of the newest varieties is the Multiflora chrysanthemum - a compact bush with many small, brightly colored inflorescences. Multiflora is not intended for cutting; this variety was bred specifically for planting in flower beds and borders; chrysanthemum is also suitable for decorating balconies, gazebos, greenhouses, and planting in pots and boxes.
The rules for planting and caring for the Multiflora chrysanthemum, methods for propagating these flowers, and recommendations for wintering will be discussed in this article. The most popular varieties of Multiflora will also be listed here with photos and names, and options for planting and decorating flower beds with compact chrysanthemums will be offered.
Features and varieties
Chrysanthemum Multiflora is a low-growing bush with a regular spherical shape. This subspecies of the plant belongs to the super low-growing varieties, since the height of the Multiflora bush rarely exceeds 50 cm. Each bush is abundantly strewn with small bright flowers, the shades of which can be very diverse. The leaves of the chrysanthemum are small, but they are not visible behind hundreds of inflorescences.
In accordance with the flowering time, all varieties of Multiflora chrysanthemums are usually divided into three groups:
- Early varieties of chrysanthemum Multiflora bloom already in August.
- With the onset of September, the mid-flowering species begin to bloom.
- The mid-late flowering multiflora blooms its buds only in late September - early October.
The flowering of chrysanthemums of the Multiflora subspecies is very long. So, early varieties can bloom profusely from August until the first frost.
Some experts suggest dividing Multiflora varieties also based on the height of the bush. However, practice shows that the size of plants can be adjusted by pinching shoots and different planting dates. It is better for a novice gardener to immediately buy the variety of Multiflora chrysanthemum that is suitable in height:
- at super short chrysanthemums, the height and diameter of the bush are approximately equal and correspond to 20-30 cm (such varieties of Multiflora can be grown in a pot or in a box);
- medium height flowers reach 30-40 cm in height, the diameter of the bush is usually the same;
- at tall Bush varieties can reach 60-70 cm, such a Multiflora will have to be tied up or supports created for it.
The height of chrysanthemums and the correct shape of their spherical bushes greatly depend on weather and climatic conditions in the region, planting location and growing conditions.
Varieties of spherical flowers
Growing the Multiflora chrysanthemum today is one of the main trends and fashionable trends in landscape design. These unpretentious flowers can be planted in Siberia and the Moscow region; heat-loving beauties thrive in the southernmost corners of the country.
One of the advantages of the spherical shape is its resistance to spring frosts, so chrysanthemums can be planted as early as April. But southern plants cannot withstand winter frosts; throughout almost the entire territory of Russia, Multiflora has to be covered, and in the coldest regions, flowers are completely dug up for the winter.
Multiflora chrysanthemum varieties common in temperate climates with photos and brief descriptions can be found below.
Branfountain Lemon
The multiflora of this variety belongs to the medium-flowering chrysanthemums - its buds bloom in early September. The spherical bushes reach a diameter of 50 cm, and their height is the same. The inflorescences are small, lemon-yellow.The bush is simply strewn with delicate flowers.
Bransky Plum
This chrysanthemum can be considered tall, which is rare for Multiflora. The height of the Bransky Plum bush is, on average, 70 cm. The inflorescences are small to medium-sized, colored in a muted red hue.
Branroyal Yellow
Chrysanthemum Multiflora yellow blooms so thickly and abundantly that the gardener often does not realize that this plant has leaves - the entire spherical bush is strewn with bright double inflorescences.
Branbeach Orange
A very early variety of Multiflora, opening buds already at the beginning of the second ten days of August. The balls reach a diameter of 50 cm. The color of the inflorescences is very delicate, pale orange.
Brandove White
The compact bushes of this chrysanthemum are strewn with inflorescences in the form of pompoms - small fluffy balls. The color of the flowers is delicate and interesting - a light green shade of the core combined with snow-white tips of the petals.
Branchili
It is simply impossible not to notice these bushes with flowers the shade of hot chili pepper. The Branchili chrysanthemum has a small height - about 40 cm, but the inflorescences are quite large - about 4 cm in diameter.
Branindio
This Multiflora creates the illusion of two-color flowering: the opened inflorescences are painted in a golden yellow hue, and the buds on the bushes are orange. The height of the plant is 50 cm. The variety begins to bloom in the first days of September.
Branstorm
A very bright variety, with rich red inflorescences. Chrysanthemums bloom early - late August-early September. Bushes of medium height - about 50 cm.
Branfountain Purple
Chrysanthemum Multiflora lilac usually blooms in mid-September (the exact time of flowering depends on the climate and weather conditions in a particular region). Medium-sized bushes - 40-50 cm. Double flowers, painted in a beautiful lilac shade.
Branbeach Lilac
This chrysanthemum also blooms in mid-September. The bushes are small, compact, their height usually does not exceed 50 cm. The inflorescences are large, mauve.
Brangala
Chrysanthemum Multiflora Brangala is considered a prominent representative of the potted varieties of this plant. The bushes of this variety are very compact, their height never exceeds 35 cm. The color of the inflorescences is coral. Frost resistance is low, so the flower is rarely grown in open ground.
Branroyal
Chrysanthemum Branroyal is a whole group of Multiflora; in the line of this variety there are many shades (white, yellow, orange, red and others). The bushes are usually small - up to 40 cm in diameter. The inflorescences are quite large - about 4.5 cm. A distinctive feature of the variety is a very abundant number of flowers.
Flower grower's memo
Growing chrysanthemums of the Multiflora subspecies is a simple process that does not require special skills. That's why This flower is great for beginner gardeners. In order for Multiflora bushes to have the shape of a perfect ball, and for their flowering to be abundant and bright, you need to follow simple recommendations for planting and caring for these plants.
Reproduction methods
Propagating Multiflora is not at all difficult, especially since this can be done in several ways:
- seeds;
- dividing uterine bushes;
- cuttings.
Reproduction by divisions
It is recommended to dig mother bushes out of the soil in late summer or autumn, when there is still no threat of frost. This method allows you to get several from one bush; in addition, the Multiflora is rejuvenated due to this division, the plants acquire a more regular ball shape.
Young shoots that have already formed their own root system should be separated. You can use a sharp garden knife for this work. The resulting bushes are planted separately from each other at a sufficient distance (at least 50 cm), the tops of the plants need to be pinched, and the chrysanthemums themselves need to be watered abundantly.
Cuttings
Propagation of the Multiflora chrysanthemum by cuttings is a very popular method. The flower reproduces well by green cuttings, which need to be cut or torn off and rooted in a container of water, wet sand or shaded soil. Rooted cuttings will grow roots in 10-14 days and can be transplanted to a permanent location.
In spring, Multiflora can also be propagated by cuttings. Flowers removed from the cellars after wintering are placed in the sun, where they begin to produce new shoots. When the length of such shoots is 10 cm, the bush is carefully divided. The shoots are immediately planted in a permanent place in open ground or in a pot. One shoot can easily grow into a full-fledged chrysanthemum bush.
Propagation by seeds
Experienced gardeners can try to grow Multiflora from seeds. Two methods of such reproduction are actively used:
- Direct sowing into the ground. At the end of April or beginning of May, chrysanthemum seeds are sown in a flower bed. The depth of the holes should be 3-5 cm, the distance between them should be about 25 cm. A pair of Multiflora seeds are placed in abundantly watered holes, sprinkled with soil and covered with polyethylene until germination. After a couple of weeks, you need to remove the second shoots and plant them in another place - one flower should remain in each hole.
- Seedling method. At the end of February or at the beginning of March, you can sow chrysanthemum seeds for seedlings. The soil in the container is moistened with a spray bottle and Multiflora seeds are spread over the surface. After this, the container is covered with glass, a lid or film. Crops are regularly ventilated and moistened. When a pair of leaves appears, flower seedlings are picked. By the time of planting in the ground, the seedlings should reach a height of 20 cm; the tops of chrysanthemums should be pinched after planting.
Recommendations for planting
Chrysanthemums love the sun, and this fact must be taken into account when choosing a place to plant these flowers. Otherwise, the flowers are unpretentious, can grow on almost any soil, tolerate spring cold well, but do not like drafts and waterlogged soil.
In central Russia, it is recommended to plant Multiflora in early May, when the temperature stabilizes and the soil warms up well. The distance between neighboring bushes depends on the size of the chrysanthemum, but the interval should be at least 45-50 cm.
You can add a little sand and peat to the planting holes if the soil in the flowerbed is too heavy. Multiflora prefers neutral soils. The pH level can be adjusted with lime and dolomite flour.
It is better not to overdo it with fertilizers: immediately after planting, the flower needs to acclimatize, and due to excess nutrition it will quickly grow. Only poor sandy loam soils can be fertilized with mineral complexes, wood ash or a small amount of humus.
How to care for spherical varieties
Caring for, as well as planting, Multiflora is not particularly difficult. These chrysanthemums are not capricious, they develop well in different conditions and do not require much attention.
Standard measures for caring for Multiflora bushes:
- Water the flowers recommended with rain or well-settled water. It is better not to wet the leaves and flowers; watering should be carried out at the root. Multiflora loves water, so during dry periods it is watered often and abundantly. During the flowering phase, the amount of watering should be reduced or stopped altogether. To better retain moisture in the soil, the soil should be loosened or mulched.
- Feed spherical chrysanthemums will have to be done infrequently; these plants are undemanding in terms of nutritional levels. If the holes were fertilized during the planting period, this may be enough - the flowers are no longer fed during the entire growing season. Some gardeners use banana peels for fertilizer, which are dug into the ground near the bushes. During the budding period, you can feed Multiflora a little with phosphorus and potassium.
- Forming chrysanthemum bushes not necessary - the plant itself should take the shape of a ball. Some gardeners, however, trim the shoots of flowers to give them just the ideal shape, but, as practice shows, this is not necessary. You need to pinch shoots only after planting cuttings or Multiflora seedlings.
Every three years, the Multiflora chrysanthemum needs to be replanted to another place. If this is not done, the variety will degenerate and the bush will no longer be so lush and round.
Wintering rules
The question of how to preserve the Multiflora chrysanthemum in winter is very relevant, because it is a southern, heat-loving plant. Depending on the climate in a particular region, there are three options for wintering this flower:
- in open ground;
- under cover;
- in a cool and dark place.
Wintering in a flowerbed
Overwintering of Multiflora in open ground is possible only in the southernmost regions with a warm climate and mild winters.Flower growers from these regions may not even trim the bushes of spherical chrysanthemums: when the shoots are completely dry, they break off on their own and become a natural protection for the rhizome from the cold.
To play it safe, it is better to trim the shoots of Multiflora to 15 cm immediately after the stems dry. Cover the bushes with dry leaves, peat or sawdust.
Winter shelter for flowers
In the middle zone, some flower growers also leave Multiflora to overwinter in the flowerbed, but before doing this, the plants are covered. Already at the end of September in these latitudes it is better to protect the bushes with a polyethylene or plastic frame to prolong flowering and protect them from the night cold.
When the chrysanthemums fade, their stems are shortened to 15 cm. The bushes are generously covered with a thick layer of mulch (at least 10 cm), sand or earth. As soon as the temperature drops to sub-zero levels, Multiflora is covered with spruce branches or your own previously cut bushes. Such a shelter will be able to be ventilated and will prevent the buds from drying out.
Storing flowers in the basement
The most reliable wintering option for the Multiflora variety is winter storage of roots in a cellar or basement. In autumn, the flower stems are trimmed, after which the rhizome is carefully dug up (the root system of these chrysanthemums is superficial, so there is no need to dig deep).
The roots taken out of the ground are placed in dry soil or sand. The substrate needs to be moistened and the flowers sent to a cool place where in winter the temperature will be maintained at +3 - -5 degrees.Every month you should check the chrysanthemums and water them. The soil between the roots should not be too wet, but excessive dryness is also detrimental to Multiflora.
In March, the roots of chrysanthemums are taken out of their shelters and placed in a bright, warm place with an air temperature of about +15 degrees (on the veranda or balcony). There, the flowers will begin to appear buds and green sprouts; at the end of April they can be divided and planted in a flower bed.
Conclusion
Chrysanthemum Multiflora is a universal plant. This flower can be used to frame garden paths, decorate borders and ridges; spherical bushes combine perfectly with the strict lines of conifers and dilute the greenery of herbaceous plantings with variegated colors. Often, low-growing varieties of Multiflora are grown in flowerpots, pots and boxes, decorating gazebos, balconies and window sills with flowers. Photo of the spherical chrysanthemum Multiflora will not leave anyone indifferent.
There is nothing complicated in growing chrysanthemums; Multiflora is easily propagated in several ways, which will be discussed in more detail in the video:
