PYRETHRUM
Family COMPOSITAE
Pyrethrum roseum
Perennial
Known to botanists as Chrysanthemum coccinium
this valuable herbaceous perennial is a native
of Persia and the Caucasus.
The foliage is finely cut and fern-like in appearance,
forming a thick mass from which rise stems to
a height of two to three feet, bearing flowers
two inches or more across of white, red, rose
or lilac shades.
The species is rarely seen, having long given
place to the many fine varieties of garden origin
that comprise both double and single flowered
varieties ranging through pink, salmon, scarlet,
crimson and wine-red tones.
The single-flowered sorts are effectively centred
with an orange.
Yellow or cream disc.
For masses in the herbaceous border and for cutting,
this plant is most valuable and great quantities
are grown annually for the flower market.
Pyrethrum uliginosum is a tall white-flowered
plant, very like a Michaelmas Daisy in appearance
and flowering in September.
Easily grown in any well-drained soil.
Propagate by division before or immediately after
flowering, or from seed.
The flowering season is in June.
Pyrethrum
Hardy Perennial.
Two to three feet.
Flowers of various colours, June and July.
The hybrid or “florists’” Pyrethrums
are amongst the brightest of the early summer
perennials.
They are related to the Asters and the Chrysanthemums;
form a ground tuft of narrow cut foliage, and
throw up stems bearing single or double Daisy-shaped
flowers to or three inches across.
They are perfectly hardy, and flourish
in any tolerable soil.
Plant out pieces of root,
preferably in March; the established clumps should
be divided and replanted every fourth year.
In
theory, Pyrethrums ought to hold themselves up
unsupported, but in practice they will too often
be found to “flop”, and will require
some sticks and a girdle of bass or string.
A liberal top-dressing should be spread round
the crowns in October,
after the dead growth has been cut away.
There is an embarrassingly large amount of named
kinds, but the following have stood the test of
years and are to be depended on as a nucleus:
Doubles:
Aphrodite: fine white.
Aurora: yellowish white.
Delicatissima: rosy lilac.
Leonard Kelway: rose.
Melton: deep crimson.
Figaro: rose-pink.
Pericles: yellow and peach.
Henri Murger: purple.
Roseum Plenum: bluish-pink.
Singles:
Agnes Mary Kelway: rose.
Devonshire Cream: cream.
Mary Anderson: flesh.
Merry Hampton: crimson.
Princess Irene: white.
The singles are pretty, but do not compare for
general effect with the double forms.
See also : Chrysanthemum
and Perennial Chrysanthemum
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