When you think of a classic autumn garden, you likely picture the vibrant blooms of chrysanthemums. The types of chrysanthemum – beautiful and diverse available to gardeners today offer a spectacular range of color, form, and size that can extend your garden’s color show from late summer right into frost.
This isn’t just about a single flower. Chrysanthemums, or “mums,” are a massive plant family with thousands of cultivars. Understanding the different types helps you choose the right ones for your pots, borders, and cut flower vases. Let’s look at the main categories that make these plants so special.
Types Of Chrysanthemum – Beautiful And Diverse
The National Chrysanthemum Society classifies mums into 13 distinct bloom forms. These forms are based on the shape and arrangement of their petals (which are actually florets). For home gardeners, knowing a few key types is most helpful for planning your garden’s look.
Popular Chrysanthemum Bloom Forms for Your Garden
Here are some of the most common and recognizable types you’ll find at nurseries and in catalogs.
* Decorative: This is the classic, fluffy mum you see everywhere in fall. The blooms are full, with many petals that curve inward, hiding the center. They are excellent for mass color in beds and containers.
* Pompon: These are cute, small, and perfectly globe-shaped blooms. The petals are short and hide the center completely, creating a tight ball. They are very hardy and provide a charming, formal look.
* Single/Daisy: These look like their wildflower cousins. They have a central disc (the “eye”) surrounded by a single row of flat petals. They are simple, elegant, and often attract butterflies to there garden.
* Spider: A real conversation starter! These have long, tubular petals that coil or hook at the ends, giving a spidery, exotic appearance. They add incredible texture and drama.
* Quill: The petals are straight, long, and tubular, tapering to a point like a quill pen. The blooms have an open, airy feel and the petals radiate outward.
* Anemone: Similar to singles, but with a large, prominent central disc that’s often a different color. The disc is surrounded by one or more rows of flat petals, creating a lovely two-tone effect.
* Spoon: Another delightful form. The petals are flat like a daisy, but each one ends in a distinctive spoon-shaped tip. It’s a playful and unique detail up close.
Choosing Mums by Their Growth Habit
Beyond flower shape, mums are also categorized by how they grow. This is crucial for knowing where to plant them.
* Garden (Hardy) Mums: These are perennials in many climates. They are bred to survive winters and come back year after year. They tend to have a bushy, spreading habit and bloom in the fall.
* Florist (Show) Mums: These are the spectacular, giant blooms you see in flower shows. They are usually grown as annuals because they are less cold-hardy. They often need special pinching and care to produce their massive flowers.
* Cushion Mums: A specific type of hardy mum that forms a low, dense mound covered in hundreds of small flowers. They require no pinching and are fantastic for front-of-border color.
How to Plant and Care for Different Mum Types
Getting the best from your mums is easy with a few key steps.
1. Planting Time: For hardy mums, spring planting is best. It gives the roots time to establish before winter. You can plant in fall, but they may not return as reliably.
2. Sunlight: All mums need full sun. Give them at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for strong growth and the most flowers.
3. Soil: Well-draining soil is non-negotiable. They hate wet feet. Amend heavy clay soil with compost to improve drainage.
4. Watering: Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry and prevent disease.
5. The Pinching Secret: To get a bushier plant with more flowers, pinch off the top inch of new growth in late spring and early summer. Stop pinching around mid-July so flower buds can form.
Using Mums in Your Garden Design
With so many types, you can use mums in countless ways. Their diversity is there greatest strength.
* Fall Superstars: Use hardy decorative or cushion mums to replace fading summer annuals. They provide instant, vibrant color.
* Cut Flower Garden: Plant single, spider, and pompon types. They have long, strong stems and last for weeks in a vase.
* Container Gardening: Almost any mum thrives in pots. Use a large container with drainage holes and a quality potting mix. This is perfect for florist mums you can enjoy for a season.
* Border Edging: Low-growing cushion mums are perfect for defining a garden path or border edge.
* Pollinator Support: Single and daisy-type mums, with their open centers, are excellent nectar sources for bees and butterflies in the late season.
Common Questions About Growing Mums
Many gardeners have the same concerns. Here are some quick answers.
* Why didn’t my mums come back? They may have been florist mums, not hardy varieties. Or, they were planted too late in fall or in poorly draining, soggy soil over winter.
* Should I cut them back? Yes! After they finish blooming in late fall, you can cut the stems back to about 4 inches tall. A light mulch after the ground freezes can help protect the roots.
* Can I divide them? Absolutely. Every 2-3 years in early spring, dig up the clump and gently pull or cut it into smaller sections. Replant the healthy outer pieces and discard the woody center. This keeps them vigorous.
Beyond the Garden: Other Chrysanthemum Types
The chrysanthemum world extends even further. You might encounter these interesting groups:
* Cascade Mums: Trained to spill downward, often used in special displays or over walls.
* Bonsai Mums: Painstakingly trained to create miniature, artistic forms.
Edible Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum coronarium): Known as shungiku or crown daisy, these are grown for their tasty, aromatic leaves used in Asian cuisine.
The incredible variety of chrysanthemums means there’s a perfect type for every gardener’s vision. From the sturdy cushion mum lining a walkway to the dramatic spider mum in a vase, these flowers bring a final, joyful burst of color to the year. By selecting the right bloom form and growth habit for your needs, you can enjoy there beauty season after season. With a little basic care, they will reward you with a spectacular display that celebrates the unique diversity of the chrysanthemum.