Home Garden & Home Plants Chrysanthemum | Plant Profile

Chrysanthemum | Plant Profile

The ever so popular the Chrysanthemum has a long flowering period. They will deliver beautiful colours from late summer all the way into winter, when many other plants have past their best.

They are believed by some to symbolise joy, happiness and long life. They grow in an abundance of varieties, shapes and colours and will look stunning in floral displays of popular cut flowers or nestled nicely in the garden in pots and borders.

Top Varieties

Debonair

This compact hardy shrub have divided foliage of flowers that can grow up to 5cm in width.

Sun Requirements: Full sun
Soil: Best results come from all purpose compost. Draining is very important for Chrysanthemums
Hardiness: Hardy to -5°C, can survive in mild conditions
Size: Will grow to 15” tall

‘Cream Margaret’

This perennial has divided foliage with flowers that grow up to 9cm across and fade from lemon-yellow in the centre to cream on the end of the petals.

Sun Requirements: Full sun
Soil: This will thrive in moist but well drained soil.
Hardiness: Hardy to -5°C
Size: Will grow to 1m tall and spread to 50cm

Growing Guide

Planting

These are best to be planted in a warm sheltered sunny spot, in a border or container. Space them 30cm apart from each other to allow growth and air circulation. As they can grow up to 15” tall they will need some support, so add a stake with your Chrysanthemums, particularly when the more autumnal weather rolls in. Chrysanthemum plants are relatively hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -5°C but can still benefit from some protection during winter. A light covering of organic matter, compost or bark chips will make a strong, protective mulch for them.

Watering

After planting be sure to regularly water them whether in borders or containers, making sure they have good drainage as they are quite susceptible to mildew. Ensure the soil or compost doesn’t dry out but at the same time take care not to overwater as they don’t like waterlogged conditions.

Pruning

After some frosts the upper parts of your Chrysanthemums may get killed off. Trim them down to a couple of inches above soil level to keep them and your landscape looking tidy over winter.

In spring, when the shrub starts re-growing and reaches between six and eight inches, pinch out the tips with secateurs. This will encourage side shoots, giving you a bushier plant with more flowers.

Planting Ideas

A simple way to plant Chrysanthemums is to utilise their variation and versatility. Plant different coloured varieties close to each other for a real spectrum of colour. These will flower typically from September through to November.

Chrysanthemums grow well in containers and deliver an excellent show stopping impact.

They grow well with classic bedding plants, like pansies and violas. These are a great way to surround Chrysanthemums with even more colour! Many perennials make good partners for Chrysanthemums and foliage plants add a balanced contrast with ‘showier’ varieties.

Chrysanthemum Facts

Chrysanthemums are part of the Asteraceae (daisy) family which contains well over 20,000 species including echinaceas, rudbeckias and dahlias.
The name Chrysanthemum comes from “chrysos” and “anthos” in Greek meaning gold flower.
Cultivated for thousands of years, Chrysanthemums are referenced in the writings of Chinese philosopher Confucius in around 500 B.C.
The Chrysanthemum is one of the ‘four gentlemen’ or ‘four junzi’ featured in traditional Chinese art, alongside plum blossom, orchids, and bamboo
The scientific name is the Crysanthemum indicum