Id-Code: LA 202
Family: Asteraceae, Compositae
Origin: Breeding origin; the wild species grows in China and Japan
Special Features: An exquisite contrast between the large, decorative, dark purple foliage and husky orange-yellow blooms
History: 2008 Jelitto introduction. Christian Kress, now of Sarastro Nursery in Austria, selected a seedling with dark, sturdy stems and rich, dark colored foliage (nearly black-purple in spring) with a habit that was a bit shorter and more compact. This handsome seedling became the basis for Jelitto's breeding
Colour: Orange-yellow
Natural Flowering Period: July - September
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-8
Growth Habit: Clumping
Foliage: Large, rounded kidney-shaped, dark purple leaves - with toothed edges - on long dark petioles
Height with Flowers: 100 cm (40'')
Spacing between Plants: 75 cm (30'')
Soil Requirements: Evenly moist, organic soils, pH 5.5 - 6.8
Location: Full sun in coll summer climates to partial shade elsewhere
Use: Bold groupings of 6 and more are eye-catching. Can also be mixed in the border with Astrantia 'Ruby Cloud', Lilium 'Painted Ladies' and Saruma henryi
Specialities: Easy from seed

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 10
Seeds per Gram: 100
Seeding Recommendation: 30 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72 or 128
Germination: Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs. The germination might be slower and more irregular. This poses no problems.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 6 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 8 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)