Chrysanthemum (Rubellum Group)

Hardy chrysanthemum are easy to grow hardy perennials in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.  Unlike other chrysanthemums that are grown as annuals, these plants maintain their space in the landscape returning year after year even in colder climates.

They grow into rounded open mounds about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.  Touching the lobed leaves gives off that familiar chrysanthemum fragrace.  The showy daisy like flowers with yellow centers and many petals come in a wide array of colors.  Blooms appear in the early fall after many other landscape plants are spent and last until the first hard frost. 

Place plants in the ground ideally in early spring in the full sun with rich, moist, well-drained soil. Many plants are only found in garden centers in the fall but try to find them for spring planting. If plants must be put in the ground in the fall, remove all the flowers to encourage root growth and cover with a thick mulch so the plant has a better chance of surviving the winter.  Good soil drainage is especially important for the overwintering roots.  Grown in less than full sun the plants will survive but will thin out, the stems will become long and floppy making for a messy appearance. 

Pinch the stems back or shear it as soon as the buds appear in the spring to encourage branching and flower bud production for a dense, show stopping flower display.  Some summer pruning may be necessary if the plant becomes leggy but be sure to leave the stems on the plant to protect the crown over the winter.  The plant can be propagated by stem cuttings and every few years the plants should be divided in the spring to avoid dieback in the center of the plant. 

They look beautiful in a mass planting, planted along a border or on the top of a garden wall.  Place them along a walkway, near a patio, or use them as a groundcover.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Leaf miners can cause cosmetic damage.  Keep water off the leaves to avoid foliar diseases.  

 VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.