Growing Tough Chrysanthemums for Vibrant Autumn Colors and Continuous Blooms
Bringing a Pop of Colour to Autumn Gardens: The Resurgence of Hardy Chrysanthemums
Hardy chrysanthemums are making a comeback as a mainstay in autumn gardens across the UK, offering vibrant colour and extending the blooming season when many other flowers have faded. These resilient plants are hardy to temperatures as low as -5°C to -10°C, and have been known to survive winters down to -20°C.
One of the standout series for UK autumn gardens is the Pennine series, which includes the Chrysanthemum 'Pennine Drift.' Known for its toughness, reliability, and prolific flowering, 'Pennine Drift' is particularly suitable due to its hardiness and flowering during late summer and autumn.
Another hardy chrysanthemum that is gaining attention is 'La Damoiselle,' an unusual pale pink cultivar that produces large flowers on a branching, compact plant even in late autumn. 'La Damoiselle' is hardy to RHS H4, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.
For those seeking a later bloomer, 'Coup de Soleil' is a great option. This cultivar boasts large, half-double flowers of bronzy orange that last until November. Another interesting choice is 'Poesie,' a creamy-white cultivar that has helped reignite interest in hardy chrysanthemums.
'Ruth Treff,' a bright-yellow single chrysanthemum, is another popular choice. Introduced by Christian Kress at Sarastro Nursery, 'Ruth Treff' produces flowers from August to October.
For those seeking a more dramatic effect, 'Brennpunkt' offers almost dahlia-like blooms of blood red, while 'Dixter Orange' is much admired for its persistent double blooms of glorious, rusty orange produced on tall stems.
'Herbstkuss' is another cultivar that benefits from pinching out in June to provide an even denser display from October to November. 'Herbstkuss' produces a fantastic single chrysanthemum with deep petals.
Garden centres stock a large variety of mums, with different shades and bloom times, allowing gardeners to choose according to their preferences for colour and flowering period. 'Bienchen' is an example of a golden yellow pompom marked with a reddish brown heart in September, while 'Rumpelstilzchen' offers smallish flowers about 4cm across, held on sturdy stems, and is a strong, double red.
'Granatapfel' is another cultivar to consider, with nearly spherical, double flowers of intense red edged with golden yellow. 'Jolie Rose' is a sturdy perennial with tidy green foliage and semi-double blooms with a white halo in the centre.
Master nurseryman Amos Perry developed many celebrated chrysanthemum cultivars in the inter-war years, and these hardy plants continue to be a valuable addition to autumn gardens today. Whether you're looking for a pop of colour, a reliable bloomer, or a late-season treat, hardy chrysanthemums are sure to bring joy to your garden.
Mature plants in flower are available at garden centres in late summer and early autumn, while you can buy established young plants in early to mid-summer. Rooted cuttings or young plants become available in spring. With such a wide variety of hardy chrysanthemums to choose from, there's never been a better time to bring these vibrant blooms to your garden.
- Landscape architects and homeowners are embracing the return of hardy chrysanthemums to their home-and-garden landscapes, as these resilient plants offer an array of flower colours that complement various lifestyle preferences.
- The wide variety of hardy chrysanthemums available at garden centres can cater to diverse tastes, with bloom times ranging from late summer to November, ensuring vivid flowers in gardens even during the autumn season.
- Gardens, enriched by the presence of hardy chrysanthemums, not only offer a landscape of robust flowers but also serve as a testament to the enduring symbol of beauty and life amidst the advancing autumn season.
