Garden Hardy Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum x morifolium

From the Greek word chrysos, which translates to gold and anthemon, translating to flower, the Chrysanthemum was born.  Autumn mum is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family which adds a pop of color to a fall garden.  These perennials form erect mounds that reach 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. 

While the plants will begin to grow in the summer and spring, it does not flower until the autumn.  The edible, aromatic flowers come in many colors from brownish shades to pastels and vibrant yellows.  They can be solid, bi-color, or edged around the petals with another color.  The aromatic leaves have a curved edge which add to the attractiveness of this plant.  It can multiply very fast in your garden beds, making it more than just a potted plant for the autumn.  Numerous cultivars of this plant are available: 

Plant in areas of your garden with full sun and well-drained soil, with protection from the afternoon sun in warmer locations.  While favoring sunny locations, it will grow in areas with shade; however, too much shade can leave you with sprawling plants instead of a more upright habit.  

To maintain these plants, cut them back three times during the spring and summer, with the last cut around mid-August to encourage bushy, compact growth and prevent spring flowering.  They can be divided in the spring to further multiply your plants, but in any case, they should be divided every few years.  In the South, these plants easily overwinter outdoors. In colder climates, they may need to be dug up and overwintered indoors.

Autumn mums can be planted along edges, in the front of borders, or in cut flower gardens.  They work well in containers planted near a patio or window boxes.  The flowers attract butterflies making them a welcome late season nectar source in a pollinator garden.

Quick ID Hints:

• Leaves variable in size & shape, entire to lobed
• Heads of flowers variable in size & shape

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids, thrips, spider mites, and lace bugs are occasional insect problems.  Bacterial blight, powdery mildew, stem rot, rust, root rot, verticillium wilt, and leaf spot are occasional disease problems. 

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

Florists' variations for arrangements of chrysanthemums: 

Cascades: pot plants with trailing growth habit and covered with masses of small daisy-like heads. 

Charms: pot plants with a dome growth form and numerous, small, daisy-like heads. 

Sprays: Outdoor or interior pot plants with many small heads borne on each branched stem. 

Anemone-flowered Group: ray florets in 5 rows or less with central cushion of tubular florets; heads to 6" diam. 

Incurved Group: ray florets turned in toward the center, forming a tight ball; heads commonly 6-12" diam.

Intermediate Group: florets loosely & irregularly incurved or reflexed; heads commonly 6-12" diam. 

Korean Hybrid Group: late flowering, bushy plants for the open garden, will perennialize for 2-3 years. 

Pompon Group: ray florets are tightly packed (not curled) forming a tight globular bloom; heads to 6" diam. 

Reflexed Group: ray florets are turned outward and downwards from center; heads commonly 6-12" diam. 

Single-flowered Group: ray florets in 5 rows or less with conspicuous disc florets; heads to 6" diam.

Spidery Group: ray florets elongate, thread-like to spoon-shaped; heads to 6" diam.

More information on Chrysanthemum.