It is a common sight in fall gardens across the United States to see chrysanthemum (genus Chrysanthemum) blooms. Plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 of the USDA have been developed into a variety of hybrids that bloom in the late summer and early fall. If you deadhead your mums as soon as they start to fade, you can keep them blooming until the cold weather arrives, even though individual blooms only last two to three weeks depending on light and weather conditions.
There is a sudden influx of vibrant red, yellow, and violet blooms in garden centers as soon as the air cools, heralding the arrival of fall. Mums, or chrysanthemums, are an essential part of the fall landscape. The herbaceous and hardy perennial mum is a well-known fall symbol of abundance, and it can easily be incorporated into your fall garden to add a stunning splash of color. You can create a stunning fall chrysanthemum garden display with just a little bit of knowledge and a few simple tips.
Chrysanthemums: What Do They Mean?
A member of the Compositae family, chrysanthemums can be found in a wide variety of vibrant colors and shapes. This type of daisy was first grown as a herb associated with life’s power in China over six centuries ago. Chrysanthemums come in a wide variety of colors, from pure white to rich bronze, and are distinguished by their lush, dark green leaves.
These flowers appear to be full of petals, but each one is actually a single flower. Florets come in two varieties: ray florets and disc florets. Ray florets are the petals, and the buttons in the center are made up of disc florets. When the florets form a tight ball, we have what we call a mum bloom.
Rapid Reaction
Short-day plants are the majority of Chrysanthemums. Flowering is encouraged by the shorter days and longer nights of late summer and fall. Planting garden mums near porch or street lights can prevent flower buds from forming, so avoid doing so. Mums require nine to thirteen hours of darkness to flower, depending on whether they are in a garden or a greenhouse.
Chrysanthemum Varieties
The National Chrysanthemum Society has established a classification system for 13 different chrysanthemum cultivars in the United States.
Anemone
Floral clusters of long, tubular florets are arranged around a central button. Single or multiple colors can be found in a 4-inch bloom.
Dorothy Mechum, Purple Light, and Angel are just a few of the more popular cultivars.
Decorative
Class mums, decorative flowers, are used by florists to create floral arrangements. A flat appearance is given to the 5-inch-plus blooms as the florets gradually lengthen from the center outwards.
Coral Charm and Honeyglow are among the most popular varieties.
Unorthodox Curve
Flowers with curving florets are known as “incurve” blooms. Large 6 to 8-inch blooms are characteristic of irregular incurve mums. The florets curve toward the center of the flower, enclosing the entire structure. A few florets at the base of the bloom give the stem a little bit of a fringe.
Luxor, Blushing Bride, and River City are a few of the more popular cultivars.
Ascending Incurvation
The center of an intermediate incurve mum’s bloom is not obscured by the florets. Intermediate incurves have shorter florets that curve inwards, resulting in a smaller, more compact bloom.
Alexis, Candid, and Pat Lawson are among the most popular apricots available.
Frequently Occurring Incursion
Chrysanthemums with regular incurve blossoms have tight, smooth globes with curving inward florets. The diameter of each flower varies from 4 to 6 inches.
Gillette, Moira, and Heather James are a few of the most popular selections.
Pompom
Pompom mums, which look like regular incurves, are only a few inches long. Floral arrangements frequently feature these compact blooms.
Rocky, Yoko Ono, and Lavender Pixie are among the most popular varieties.
Quilled
Show-stopping The long, tubular florets of a quilled chrysanthemum open in a spoon shape or a slight downward curve. Mothers with spiky appearances are often mistaken for others.
Seatons Toffee, Mammoth Yellow Quill, and Muted Sunshine are just a few of the most popular selections.
Semi-Double and Single
One or two ray florets surround a compact center in these daisy-like look-alikes. They are ideal for small areas and borders because their total plant height is between 1 and 3 feet.
A few of the most popular are Rage, Icy Island, and Crimson Glory
Spider
Spiky florets of single or multiple colors are the trademark of spider mums. Florets with spider-like tubular florets are able to move in any direction. Your garden will be the talk of the town thanks to its delicate and exotic appearance.
Evening Glow, Symphony, and Western Voodoo are all popular choices.
Spoon
In the center of each spoon-shaped ray floret, there is a button-like structure. There is a subtle curve that distinguishes them from a single chrysanthemum.
Among the most popular are Kimie, Fantasy, and Redwing, among others
Reflex
Reflex mums have a flat, downward-curving bloom with their florets. Crossing of the petals produces a feather-like effect.
There are a number of well-known varieties, such as White City, Champion, and Apricot.
Thistle
The bush bloom, another name for the thistle bloom, is known for its many hues. Follicles twist to rise or fall back toward the stem. They have a distinct, foreign appearance to them.
Cindy, Cisco, and Orange Spray are all popular selections.
Unclassified
The many chrysanthemum varieties make it possible for chrysanthemum blooms to fall into multiple categories. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes.
Lone Star, Lili Gallon, and Pacificum are just a few of the more well-known cultivars.
How to Plant Chrysanthemums Using These Steps
You may be wondering how to grow chrysanthemums as quickly as possible in your garden. To ensure that your chrysanthemums are healthy and full of flowers, it is important to learn how to properly plant them.
The Chrysanthemum Season
In the spring, the chrysanthemum is able to establish itself and adapt to its new environment. Garden centers and nurseries are full of mums in the fall and spring, but planning ahead is essential for success. During the fall, it’s tempting to buy the huge, beautiful fall mums, but smaller spring mums are actually a better investment in terms of longevity. During the summer and fall, a plant’s root system becomes more robust, increasing its ability to withstand the harsh winter weather. Because of the longer growing season, it’s best to plant your flowers in the spring to get the most out of them the following year. Although some fall mums can survive the winter if planted immediately, spring-planted mums have a much better chance of surviving.
Chrysanthemum Hardiness: How Hardy Are These Flowers?
There’s a good reason why chrysanthemums sold in garden centers are referred to as “hardy mums.” Zones 5 through 9 are ideal for most mum varieties because they are winter hardy. Mammoth Daisy, for example, can withstand temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees Celsius. When purchasing mums, be sure to check the label to see if the variety is hardy enough for your area. For the most part, local nurseries and garden centers will carry varieties that are unique to the area in which they are located. Avoid buying mums from flower shops because they are different, less hardy flower varieties……..
Which Soil for Mums is the Best to Grow?
Chrysanthemums can grow in a wide range of soils, but they thrive in well-draining soil that receives regular rainfall. Planting mums in soil that is too hard or dry prevents the roots from establishing themselves, whereas planting them in waterlogged soil causes the roots to become completely submerged. The key is to find a balance between the two extremes. Planting chrysanthemums isn’t much different from planting other perennials. Make sure your soil is 8 to 12 inches deep so that your mums can thrive. Compost or peat moss can be added in amounts ranging from 2 to 4 inches. Squeezing a handful of soil will reveal the ideal texture. The soil in your hand shouldn’t crumble or clump together when you open it. It should disintegrate as a result of its own weight.
How Much Sunlight Do New Mothers Need?
Plants such as chrysanthemums thrive in full sunlight. Even though they only need 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, the more light they get, the better they grow, bloom, and harden. They need more light. To avoid scorching during the hottest days of the year, it’s a good idea to provide some shade. Because of their photoperiodic nature, mums bloom. Late in the summer, the plant begins to set buds when it detects a decrease in the length of darkness. The bloom time of your mums can be influenced if they are planted near artificial lightings, such as street lights or porch lights.
Is there any significance to the distance between objects?
It’s easy to get swayed by the allure of planting a cluster of mums close together. They don’t seem to fill out a garden space as well as larger, spring mums. However, bear in mind that most properly planted mums can grow up to three feet in height and width by fall. In the course of their life, mums, like many other perennials, grow in size year after year after year. In time, even if your flowerbed looks sparse at first, it will fill in. Maintaining proper spacing between mums is critical to their health. The roots of overcrowded plants are compromised, and pests and diseases are attracted to them. The health of your garden and the value of your time and money are both enhanced and protected when you follow the plant spacing guidelines for your chrysanthemum variety.
A Guide to Chrysanthemum Gardening
In general, mums are thought of as low-maintenance plants. The best way to care for chrysanthemums is to follow a few simple gardening rules. A little extra care for your chrysanthemums will yield an abundance of blooms in your garden.
Watering Mums: How Often Is Enough?
Mums need a steady supply of water in order to thrive. During the spring, summer, and fall, it’s important to remember to water your plants consistently. During the winter, watering can be put on hold until the soil thaws out in the spring. Watering in the early morning, at a depth of six to eight inches, is advised. Mums need to be watered in a way that gets moisture to the roots as close to the soil surface as possible. As a result, the dense foliage does not become overly moist. Soaker hoses can provide even, consistent moisture to the ground, and a water timer eliminates the hassle of remembering to water manually.
Yes, Chrysanthemums Should Be Trimmed.
chrysanthemum pruning isn’t a problem. When it comes to mums, they’re not “pruned,” but rather “pinched.” This aids the plant’s growth, development, and production of more flowers. Pinch off 1 inch of each spring shoot when your plant reaches 6 inches in height. For the remainder of the spring and early summer, repeat this process every two to three weeks. For a longer bloom period, remove spent blooms from the plant as the season progresses. Refrain from cutting back the plant after it has died in the winter months. A stronger plant can be produced by allowing it to die back naturally during the winter. In the spring, simply remove the dead stems and foliage.
Is It Necessary to Use Fertilizer on Newborns?
To thrive, all plants require a steady supply of essential nutrients. Fertilizing your mothers provides them with an extra dose of essential nutrients that will help them grow to their full potential. During the spring and early summer months, chrysanthemum plant varieties are at their most productive. Chrysanthemums need a lot of food to grow well. Quality fertilizers applied on a regular basis will encourage your mums to flourish and bear more flowers. From the beginning of spring until the end of July, use a monthly application of a well-balanced water-soluble fertilizer. If you plant mums in the fall, wait until the spring to begin fertilizing them. When chrysanthemums are fertilized in the fall, they are less able to withstand the cold winters of the north.
Winter Hardiness: What Are Your Options?
Soil temperature is critical to surviving the winter. Roots are damaged and the plant is confused by repeated freezing and thawing. In the winter, a thick layer of mulch can help keep the soil temperature stable. Mulch your mums as soon as your soil begins to harden and the temperature drops below 20 degrees. It is possible to reduce soil compaction and insulate the ground by using a loose mulch, such as straw.
Is it possible to divide Chrysanthemums?
Chrysanthemums, like many other perennials, benefit from being divided every three to four years for a longer lifespan. You may have noticed that the centers of your mums are becoming thin and oddly shaped. The plant’s central roots may become brittle and woody over time, whereas the outer roots are still young and healthy. Your mums may simply need to be divided if they no longer grow full and round. The best time to divide your mums is in the spring. The plant should be carefully lifted out of the ground and divided into smaller pieces. The older, woody center of the plant can be thrown away because it will not produce as well as the younger, more outward-facing sections. Garden soil that is rich in organic matter can be used to replant the seedlings.
