As autumn approaches and the omnipresent heat of a Mississippi summer begins to wane, the garden beckons. Once again, it is time to venture out to the patio or front porch when “morning guilds the skies” or in the crepuscular light at day’s end. However, the garden in early fall can look a bit bedraggled and weary. I know very few gardeners who can resist the jewel-toned colors of chrysanthemums to make the garden an enchanting autumn sanctuary. Yes, chrysanthemums are the quintessential flowers of fall and bloom at just the right time to brighten the landscape.
Chrysanthemums are perennials, and frugal, industrious gardeners will plant these flowers in the spring and tend to them all summer for a glorious display in the fall. However, most of the spectacular garden mums on display at garden centers are best treated as annuals. They do not overwinter very well and are not particularly hardy. If planted in the fall, the roots do not have time to become established. Regardless, most gardeners ignore their parsimonious inclinations and splurge. Actually, mums for fall decoration are perfect flowers to replace summer annuals in urns and containers, spruce up flower beds, and will last throughout the season until Thanksgiving.
These fall flowers are relatively low maintenance, but it’s a good idea to repot them before placing them in containers. The root balls of most purchased mums are very compacted, and they thrive best when the root ball is gently broken up and planted in potting soil. Mums need regular watering, especially those in containers. Many people decorate their porches with pumpkins and mums, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Just remember, streetlights and security lights can affect bloom production. Mums in flower beds do best in full sun and well-drained soil.
The word “chrysanthemum” is of Greek origin and means golden flower. Chrysanthemums are in a genus of the Asteraceae or Daisy Family, and because of this flower’s popularity, there are now literally thousands of cultivars, and they come in a variety of colors. These lovely flowers have adorned the silk screens of the Orient and have been painted by Monet and Renoir. Mississippi writer Eudora Welty grew hardy mums in her garden. Here in the South, September and October are the months when football and tailgating take precedence, and there used to be a tradition of sporting a “mum” corsage for homecoming events at school. And chrysanthemums are perfect cut flowers for tablescapes.
Every fall, hardy perennial chrysanthemums, “Sheffield Pink,” grow in my garden. These antique mums are always something of a surprise when they appear because they have certainly not been coddled. During the summer, the plants are a modest, green ground cover, but when fall arrives, they bloom with abandon.
Such hardy perennial chrysanthemums should be planted in the spring to become well-established for a prolific autumn show. Fall is the time to be inspired, but spring is the time to plant hardy perennials. Many garden guides instruct that these hardy mums must be mulched, watered, and pinched back or trimmed throughout the summer months to ensure gracious plenty of flowers in the fall. However, some varieties seem to have a profusion of blooms without too much attention. Should you choose to plant perennial chrysanthemums, it is best to order from garden catalogs.
While I hope you will plant some of the hardy chrysanthemums, I also encourage you to purchase colorful chrysanthemums from your local garden center. At summer’s end, the garden needs a boost; the mums will last for months; pollinators will thank you, and the vibrant color of chrysanthemums in the fall garden will gladden your heart.
