Chrysanthemums are cool again, and now fall is in full swing, the trend has really taken off. You’ll find this retro favorite everywhere, blooming in pots on porches and adding the wow factor to overflowing window boxes.
When most other flowering plants have already died back ‘mums’ are one of the best fall flowers, adding a welcome pop of color during the fall months.
'You can set them on your porch to add a welcome touch to anyone who sees them,' says Jen Stark, founder of gardening and DIY blog Happy DIY Home. 'The bold colors stand out nicely against the more muted autumn shades such as russet and brown.'
Alpha mums
First cultivated in China as a flowering herb – chrysanthemum tea is said to improve digestion and alleviate headaches – the ‘mum’ grows reliably across most zones of the USA and in Europe. Although they fell out of fashion, chrysanthemums are back in trend once more.
'One of the biggest reasons chrysanthemums are so popular is because they have a reputation for symbolizing a long life, happiness, and joy,' says Jen.
The National Chrysanthemum Society, USA has 13 official categories of ‘mums’, including stunning Pompons, feathery and delicate Quills and the breath-taking ball-shaped Reflex.
- Shop chrysanthemum plants in the US: view at Burpee
- Shop chrysanthemum plants in the UK: view at Thompson & Morgan
Perfect for a color pop
Chrysanthemums are a tough plant, making them the ideal option for gardens prone to harsh weather conditions.
Plantsman Steven Dale, of Mowers and Yard Tools, says that this is one of the reasons why they offer good value for money and are perfect for budget backyard ideas: 'Chrysanthemums have a long blooming season, which means they will be in full bloom for a long period of time.'
If you opt for hardy garden mums (chrysanthemums morifolium), these are perennials, returning every year, once established in a garden.
Chrysanthemums from Sarah Raven
Easy to grow
'Chrysanthemums are easy to grow because they have shallow roots and are easy to plant,' says master gardener Charlotte Ekker Wiggins, founder of Gardening Charlotte. 'If you happen to break off a branch you can also grow a new plant by rooting the cuttings in water.'
Mums are adaptable, work well with other long-flowering hardy plants and come in a range of colors to complement any garden color scheme including pure white, cheerful yellow, deep burgundies and purples and even soft lime green.
Charlotte adds that they also make a natural pest repellent, so you can use chrysanthemums to repel ants and other insects. 'Pyrethrins, the basis of most organic bug-deterring products, is basically natural pesticides found in chrysanthemums.'
