Old-fashioned Mum Chrysanthemum–Rubellum Group

Hardy chrysanthemums are easy-to-grow 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. This group of plants is native to Eurasia to Indo-China, subarctic America to Canada. The name chrysanthemum is derived from the Ancient Greek words for gold and flower. 

Ideally, place plants in the ground in early spring in 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. 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 the plant as soon as the buds appear in the spring to encourage branching and flower bud production for a dense and plentiful 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. 

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.

Hardy chrysanthemums look beautiful in a mass planting along a walkway, planted in the front of a border, or on the top of a garden wall. They grow great in containers and brighten up a patio, or they can be used as a colorful groundcover.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Leaf miners can cause cosmetic damage. Keep water off the leaves to avoid foliar diseases.

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

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

More information on Chrysanthemum.