Chrysanthemum

 

With Over 150 species of chrysanthemums to choose from, several should be included in your perennial garden. Some of them will start blooming in June or July, while others will bloom in late summer and will last through the fall.

The easiest to grow includes C. coccineum (Pyrethrum and Painted daisy) which has 2 to 3 inch flowers on stems from 9 inches up to 3 feet tall. Their leaves are bright green, but sparse. The stems are upright to spreading, frequently branched which gives the plant a look of many flowers. Painted daisies form clumps that gradually increase by sending up new shoots on the outer perimeter of the crown. They are long lived and not invasive in the garden. They come in many colors and feature a contrasting center.

C. morifolium (Hardy or Florist’s Chrysanthemum), is of the daisy family, and the most useful of all autumn-blooming perennials. Its unusual flower forms make an interesting addition to the garden. They can grow to a height of 6 feet or more. These hybrid flower forms include Anemone, Decorative, Irregular incurve, Pompon, Quill, Spider, and Spoon as well as single and double flowers.

Many growers spray their young plants with a “growth inhibitor” to keep the plants short for shipping to the nursery. Keeping the plant in the pot is not recommended; plant in the garden where it should regain its natural characteristics and have normal flowers and plant height.

Chrysanthemums will tolerate heat, but do best with some afternoon shade. Prepare the soil 2 to 3 weeks before planting by digging organic matter and a complete fertilizer, such as 10.10.10, into soil that is well drained. If you have purchased a potted plant, wait until the plant has finished blooming, cut the stems to 6 or 8 inches long and plant in the new bed, spreading the root ball before placing in the ground. If you would like more of the same plant, take 3 to 5 inch cuttings from your plant and keep in a warm location for propagation.. Next February, you can plant your rooted cuttings or divide existing clumps by removing the outer rooted growth, discarding the woody centers. Plants should be 12 to 24 inches apart. You can make additional cuttings of your favorites for rooting and planting in late spring or share some with a friend.

Depending on your soil structure, water as needed. If the soil is too dry the stems become woody; if too wet the leaves will yellow and turn black. Soil should be allowed to dry out before watering again. Fertilize with a balance fertilizer 2 or 3 times between spring and early summer and then stop fertilizing when the buds begin to open. Then apply very low nitrogen (N) food with higher Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) so the plant will not add new tip leaves, but will instead produce more flowers.

Pinch the tip leaves from the stems when planting and do this again on the first of May. When the lateral shoots reach 5 inches long, pinch again by nipping the top leaves. This will form new lateral shoots which will make the plant bushier and fuller. In July, stake the taller plants as needed to keep the branches upright. By August you should have a sturdy plant ready to form large buds for a grand display of blossoms. If you want a huge bloom, disbud by removing all but one or two buds per cluster.

Flowering chrysanthemums are available all year around. This is achieved by the growers by subjecting them to artificial day lengths, using lights and dark cloth. Next year they should revert to their natural growth cycle.

Keeping the plants in a container for the second year can cause smaller flowers. After the flowers have bloomed, cut the stem to 8 inches long. When the new growth starts, cut the old stems out completely.

A flowering chrysanthemum basket can be made in late May or early June by placing 5 cuttings in a 10” basket (3 cuttings in an 8” basket). At planting time and during growth, pinch out the tips to force branching. As the branches grow, pinch again and then train the stems by tying them down to the basket. Keep in full sun or light shade. You should have a basket of full color by early fall.

Chrysanthemum x superbum (Shasta daisy) is a wonderful white perennial with contrasting yellow centers. They are available in single and harder to find double flowers. This long-lived plant does very well in most areas, blooming in late May and June.

Chrysanthemum pacificum, is known as the gold and silver chrysanthemum with its yellow flowers and silver leaves. This drought tolerant selection is one of my favorite plants in the perennial garden as the plant blooms all summer into fall.

C. parthenium (Feverfew), is well known in the garden as it spreads easily by seeds. This plant is used in flower arrangements as filler with its small white yellow center and pepper scented leaves.

C. Tanacetum ptarmicflorum (Dusty Miller, Silver Lace) is a Canary Island native which grows 10 inches tall and wide with silvery white leaves. The flowers when allowed to bloom are white. Somewhat drought tolerant, it is not to be confused with other plants that are also called “dusty Miller” with gray leaves that have yellow flowers and are from other regions, and are not a part of the chrysanthemum family.


Robert H. Schuler
Master Gardener
rhschuler@verizon.net

GGP# 003 for week 27th Sept., Chrysanthemum

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