Chrysanthemum ‘Fred Raynor’ is a lovely garden, cushion-type chrysanthemum that produces masses of two-toned blooms on plenty of stems. It’s a great all-rounder — perfect for garden beds, borders, containers, and the cutting garden. An easy-to-grow, early-flowering variety, it rewards with two bloom seasons. After the first flush, simply prune it back and give it a good feed, then enjoy a second round of flowers in late February. Often, the February bloom is of a deeper, richer colour, revealing the vined stripes in the petal better. A reliable and attractive choice for the mid-border garden.
Blooming Period: December to March
Suitable For: Cut flowers, garden displays, and exhibitions
Growing Options: Can be grown in the ground or in pots
Characteristics:
Blooming Period: December to March
Suitable For: Cut flowers, garden displays, and exhibitions
Growing Options: Can be grown in the ground or in pots
Characteristics:
- Flower Type: Cushion
- Colour: Two-tone light pink with red stripes that fade out to pink near maturity.
- Bloom Size: 7cm in size
- Bloom Time: December to March
- Growth Habit: 50cm in height
- Pruning:
- No need for a hard prune like exhibition varieties
- Fertilizing:
- Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser (e.g., Novatec or Osmocote) in spring
- Use sulphate of potash in late summer to enhance flower colour and longevity
- Pinching/Disbudding:
- No disbudding is needed, as this variety naturally produces abundant small blooms, although disbudding can result in favourable results.
- Support: Generally self-supporting, though light staking may help in windy conditions
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging
- Early-flowering, bringing colour to the garden before late-season chrysanthemums bloom
- Prolific bloomer, covering the plant in a mass of flowers
- Great for cut flowers, with a long vase life and delicate appeal
- Ideal for containers, borders, and cottage gardens, adding softness and texture