Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, or Mums, are well known flowers that have been a part of the perennial garden for many generations. They are even better known, perhaps, in the florist industry as potted plants or cut flowers. They bloom with an incredible variety of colors and flower types. Chrysanthemums are easy to grow.
Many of the large and elaborate varieties of chrysanthemum used in floral arrangements are not reliably winter hardy or require a greenhouse environment to force them into flowering. However, if you provide the correct growing conditions and care, there are many hardy garden mums that will give you years of enjoyment in the garden.
PLANTING
Chrysanthemums are best grown in the full sun, requiring a minimum of 5-6 hours of sun each day to produce nice blooms. Mums prefer well drained, fertile soil. Mix 1/3 compost along with some Merrifield Flowering Plant Food (a slow release fertilizer) into the existing soil to create ideal growing conditions. Mums will not live in areas that stay wet.
Mums are available for purchase from mid-summer through early fall. The earlier they are planted, the better opportunity they have to become established and you will have more opportunity to enjoy the flowers. The planting hole should be dug a few inches larger than the root ball. After removing the mum from its container, gently tease the roots loose prior to planting. Place the root ball level with the ground and firm the mixture of soil and compost around the plant. Mulch lightly and water thoroughly after planting.
CHRYSANTHEMUM CARE
When flowers start to brown with age, they can be removed. Leave the foliage through the winter to protect the crown of the plant from winter injury. Mulch lightly for additional protection.
In early spring, cut the old stems to the ground. New growth will emerge from the crown to create a new plant. If your mums are large, established plants that are overgrown or crowded, this is a good time to lift and divide them. Otherwise, begin fertilizing once every 3-4 weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer, or one to two applications of Merrifield Flowering Plant Food. Avoid applying fertilizer any later than the end of August. Excessive fertilizing can weaken the plant and reduce flowering.
Chrysanthemums flower in response to days becoming shorter and nights becoming longer. Left to their own time clock, many varieties will become leggy and will bloom as early as July. Chrysanthemums should be periodically pinched back throughout the summer to keep the plants stocky and full of blooms.
Start pinching plants back in the spring, when they have reached a height of five inches. Remove 1-2 inches of the new growth every 2-3 weeks. Continue pinching the plant until mid-July. In 3-4 weeks, the plant should be loaded with flower buds, ready to bloom with spectacular fall colors.
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MORIFOLIUM
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Fall Mum
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24'
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Various colors
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Early fall
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DENDRANTHEMA
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D. koreanum
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Korean Mum
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18-36'
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Pink, Orange
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October
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D. weyrichii
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12-14'
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Pink, White
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July-Oct
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D. zawadskii
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'Clara Curtis'
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24'
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Pink
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Aug-Oct
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LEUCANTHEMUM
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Shasta Daisy
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L. superbum
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'Agalaya'
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18-24'
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Double white daisy
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June-July
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'Alaska'
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24-36'
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Large single white
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June-July
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'Becky'
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36'
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Large single white
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June-Oct
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'Esther Red'
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24'
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Large double white
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June-July
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'Cobham Gold
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24'
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Large double cream
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June-July
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'Marconi'
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24'
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Semidouble
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June-Aug
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'Silver Princess'
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12-15'
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Single white
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June-Aug
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'Snow Lady'
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12'
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Single white
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June-Aug
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'Snow Cap'
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8-10'
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Single white
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June-Aug
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'Switzerland'
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30'
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Single white
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June-Aug
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'T. E. Killian'
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30'
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Large double
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June-July
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L. vulgare
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'May Queen'
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36'
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Large double
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May-June
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AJANIA PACIFICA
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Pacific Daisy
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A. pacifica
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'Pink Ice'
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12-14'
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Pink petals
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Aug-Sept
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TANACETUM COCCINEUM
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Painted Daisy
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24-30'
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Deep red, pink or white
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Early summer
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'Brenda'
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24-30'
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Deep red
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Early summer
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'Eileen May Robinson'
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24-30'
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Rich pink
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Early summer
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'James Kelway'
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24-30'
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Deep crimson
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Early summer
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'Snow Cloud'
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24-30'
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White
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Early summer
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TANACETUMPARTHENIUM
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Feverfew
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18-24'
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White daisy
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Early summer
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'Aureum'
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18-24'
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Golden foliage
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Early summer
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'Golden Bell'
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18-24'
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Double yellow
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Early summer
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'Snowball'
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18-24'
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Double white
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Early summer
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TANACETUM VULGARE
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'Crispum'
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18-24
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Yellow
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Summer
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