Chrysanthemums,
or sometimes called “mums” or “chrysanths”, are flowering plants of the
genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. They are native to Asia
and northeastern Europe, and most species originate from East Asia and
the center of diversity is in China. So, they’re countless horticultural
varieties and cultivars. The familiar garden “mum” comes in several
shapes, from small pompons
the size of a dime, to huge “Spiders”. Few are beautifully shaped just
like daisies, some, even called “Spoons, are nests of little
spoon-shaped petals. The most familiar are the large, round ones with
several petals, which are classified as “Decorative” mums, and the easy
to grow as well, “cushion mums”, which grow up to 15 inches tall.
Moreover, colors include everything but blue and heights range from less
than a foot tall to four feet. Several other Chrysanthemum species are
also popular garden plants. Most start blooming in late summer and
continue through fall. Hence, try-cold hardy types such as the Cheyenne
series in cold climates.
Therefore, hybrids of many other Chrysanthemum species are popular garden flowers. Because the painted daisy (called Pyrethrum Roseum, C. coccineum or . roseum) has flowers in shades of red, pink, lavender and white, grows one to three-foot tall and blooms from early summer to fall, making it a gorgeous garden plant. Although the plant is short-lived in some climates, it will self-sow. C. X rubellum ‘Clara Curtis’ has pink flowers on one to two foot stems in mid and late summer.
Moreover, to grow Chrysanthemum in cold climates "mums" are often treated as annuals. Though if you want to try wintering them over, dig them up in l
and put them in a protected place such as a cold frame. Or try mulching
them with evergreen boughs. Thus, divide them in spring or fall in warm
climates discarding the centers of the clumps and replanting the side
shoots. Therefore, pinch until early summer to get bushy plants and
abundant fall flowers. Give fertile soil and cut back spent flowers to encourage bloom. Fever few will tolerate light shade; the other species are sun-loving. Give all Chrysanthemum species moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil.
