Chrysanthemums ( Chrysanthemum spp . ) take halfway stage in fall , just as most annuals and perennials are close up shop for the time of year . These extravagant blossom have disc - like blooms in a kind of lustrous chromaticity . Most normally , you ’ll find them in foodstuff store and glasshouse in August and September in shades of white , orange , chicken or rusting , but they ’re also usable in pinko and purples .

Chrysanthemums are from China , where they ’ve been cultivated since at least 500 B.C. American gardener have enjoy chrysanthemum for only the last 60 years or so , although they were inclose to Europe in the 1700s . The Swedish botanist , Linnaeus , gave chrysanthemum their name in the mid-1700s , which in Greek means “ gold flower . ”

Most gardeners grow chrysanthemums as annuals . If you ’d wish to grow them this way , just pop them in the land or in pots in late summer or other declivity . choose a gay location out from street Inner Light , since chrysanthemums need several hour of swarthiness at night to flower properly . Water chrysanthemums oft so the grunge stays moist 1 - column inch beneath the airfoil . Dig the plants up and discard them after the first big frost .

yellow mums

Growing Perennial Chrysanthemums

If tossing chrysanthemums on the compost heap seems like a wastefulness , take heart . In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant life hardiness geographical zone 5 through 9 , these cheery peak can be grown as perennials . To acquire chrysanthemums year - pear-shaped , prime varieties adapted to your area . Not all chrysanthemum are reliably winter dauntless in the magnetic north , so it ’s of import to get the right variety .

Choose a site that scram full sun and has well - draining grease , since chrysanthemum do n’t allow wet feet . Amend the dirt to a depth of 8 to 12 in with compost or manure . In soggy soils , try growing chrysanthemums in muckle or raised beds .

Plant nursery transplantation outside in the fountain , spacing them 15 to 24 inch apart . Once the plants stand 6 inches grandiloquent , twitch off the crest to the first folio . Repeat this purloin several times during the summer to keep the plants compact and encourage more crashing . Stop pinch them , though , by former August or you ’ll put down the fall flower display . commend , chrysanthemum really begin blooming when night clock time temperatures cool and the duration of night darkness increase to 12 hours . In most areas , they ’re at their effective in September and October . drouth and high heat reduce unfolding .

Chrysanthemums

fecundate chrysanthemums in early spring when new growth come along with ¼ loving cup of 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer . Fertilize them again mid - summertime , but do n’t fertilize them after August . Chrysanthemums need consistent wet , so pee as often as needed to keep the filth slightly moist , but not sloughy .

Chrysanthemums can suffer light freezes which is one reason they ’re so beloved in the downslope . They do n’t , however , handle hard freezes . If you live in zone five , industrial plant chrysanthemum in a protect area , such as next to the firm , and cover them in the fall with 3 to 4 inches of wood chip mulch to protect their root . Leave the dry plant cloth fend over the wintertime because it provide additional insularism .

Divide perennial chrysanthemums every three to four geezerhood , as outgrowth declines and the plant become crowded . Dig up the plants in early spring and cut them into three hoagy . Cut off the inner portions of the wedges , because these office are the oldest parts of the plant and are probably unproductive . Replant the divisions , spacing them 15 to 24 inch apart .

pink chrysanthemums with text overlay how to grow chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum Pests and Problems

Chrysanthemums are subject to root rot and fungal leafage diseases . To minimize these problems , plant chrysanthemums in well - drain soil and space them so aura circulates freely . piddle the plants in the dayspring and use drip systems instead of overhead sprinklers , which tend to exacerbate fungal diseases .

Chrysanthemum Varieties

For white flowers , try ‘ Encore , ’ ‘ Nicole ’ or ‘ thaumaturgy . ’For red blooms , seek out ‘ Bravo ’ or ‘ Remarkable . ’‘Donna , ’ ‘ Jessica , ’ and ‘ fair game ’ are attractive chickenhearted varieties . For pink and majestic varieties , try ‘ Tripoli , ’ ‘ Barbara ’ or ‘ Cabernet Sauvignon . ’

Want to learn more about growing chrysanthemums?

Visit the following helpful data link : grow Chrysanthemums in the Gardenfrom Iowa State University ExtensionChrysanthemumsfrom o.k. Gardening

Ryan Lee from Indiana University teaches about chrysanthemum careon YouTube .

Julie Christensen learn about garden on her grandfather ’s farm and female parent ’s vegetable garden in southern Idaho . Today , she lives and gardens on the gamy plains of Colorado . When she ’s not dig out in the dirt , Julie writes about food , training , parenting and gardening .