- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Family: Asteraceae
Native: North American prairies
Hardiness: Short-lived perennial in USDA zones 9-10, but usually treated as an annual, because it does not reliably come back year after year. May self-sow.
Exposure: Full sun. In hot climates, afternoon shade can be helpful.
Bloom Period: Summer to frost
Plant Dimensions: 20"-24" tall
Variety Info: 3"-4" cherry-red and maroon blooms with dark center cones. Some petals have bronze coloring.
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, and as late as 2 months before your average first fall frost date.
When to Start Inside: 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date. If started inside early enough, may bloom the first year.
Days to Emerge: 10-15 days
Seed Depth: Press into surface
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12"-24"
Thinning: When 1"-2" tall, thin to 1 every 12"-24"
Growing Info
Harvesting: For longest vase life, harvest flowers in the morning, choosing those that have just unfurled all their petals and change vase water often.
Special Care: Deadhead (remove spent blossoms) to extend the blooming period. Mulch heavily in fall after plant has gone dormant.