Objective To establish a comprehensive evaluation system for Chrysanthemum cultivars applied to flower sea landscape, taking the "2021 Xiaolan Chrysanthemum Festival" in Zhongshan City, Guangdong as an example, the Chrysanthemum cultivars that can be planted in the open air and suitable for the configuration of flower sea landscape in Lingnan area are screened out.

Method Flower sea planting, observation and statistical analysis of cultivation and ornamental characters, and tourist questionnaire survey were carried out on 31 commonly used Chrysanthemum cultivars in Lingnan, and a comprehensive evaluation system of the Chrysanthemum cultivars applied to flower sea was constructed by using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).

Result According to the weight values of the evaluation indicators, it is found that the growth vigor, flower color, survival rate and flowering uniformity are the key indicators that affect the application of Chrysanthemum cultivars to the flower sea landscape. The 31 Chrysanthemum cultivars are divided into 4 grades according to the total score (R_i) of the comprehensive evaluation: 10 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅰ (R_i≥4.0) are most suitable for application in flower sea landscape, 11 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅱ (3.6≤R_i < 4.0) are suitable, 5 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅲ (3.0≤R_i < 3.6) are less suitable, and 5 Chrysanthemum cultivars of grade Ⅳ (R_i < 3.0) are not suitable.

Conclusion Ten Chrysanthemum cultivars including Jinwu, Hongxique, Baertasa, Banlihuang, Lvanna, Huang'anna, Hongpingpang, Fenshuijing, Huangshuijing and Xinghuo are screened out and most suitable for flower sea landscape. And 11 Chrysanthemum cultivars such as Baianna, Hongshuijing, Fenpingpang, Shuijingfen, and Lvpingpang are suitable for flower sea landscape. These cultivars show excellent overall traits, which are suitable for Chrysanthemum flower sea planting in Lingnan area.