Growing Resilient Chrysanthemums for Vibrant Fall Colors and Continuation
Hardy Chrysanthemums Brighten Autumn Gardens
Hardy chrysanthemums have made a comeback in UK gardens over the past 20 years, providing a vibrant pop of colour as other flowers begin to fade. These resilient plants are well-suited to the British climate and offer reliable, long-lasting blooms from late summer through the first frosts.
Several hardy chrysanthemum cultivars are known for their robust autumn blooms and ability to flower year after year. Here are some top picks:
- Chrysanthemum Spartan Canary: This cultivar produces cheerful canary yellow blooms, making it an ideal choice for adding autumn colour.
- Chrysanthemum Peggy: Featuring orangy blooms with a darker centre, Peggy is a sturdy and long-flowering variety.
- Chrysanthemum Mrs. Jessie Cooper: Known for its vibrant strong pink flowers with yellow centres, Mrs. Jessie Cooper is a consistently hardy choice.
- Chrysanthemum Early Yellow: This cultivar offers bright yellow blooms and is reliable for repeat flowering.
- A variety with fiery orange blooms tipped with yellow is another hardy option for yearly autumn display.
These cultivars thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. Regular pinching of growing tips in early summer encourages bushier plants and better flowering.
Notable among the hardy chrysanthemums is the old French cultivar 'Dernier Soleil', which can produce blooms as early as the beginning of August and continues to flower until the frosts. Another standout is 'Dixter Orange', much admired for its persistent double blooms of glorious, rusty orange produced on tall stems.
For those seeking a more unusual choice, 'La Damoiselle' offers large, pale pink flowers on a branching, compact plant, while 'Bronze Elegance' boasts complex, bronze pompoms smothering well-branched and sturdy plants. The creamy-white cultivar 'Poesie' has helped reignite interest in hardy chrysanthemums, and 'Granatapfel' offers nearly spherical, double flowers of intense red edged with golden yellow.
Rooted cuttings or young plants become available in spring, and mature plants in flower can be found at garden centres in late summer and early autumn for instant impact in a border.
Many celebrated chrysanthemum cultivars were developed by Amos Perry, a master nuryman, during the inter-war years. The RHS has given most chrysanthemums a hardiness rating of H4, meaning they are hardy to temperatures of around -5°C to -10°C. 'La Damoiselle' is rated H4 for hardiness, and 'Granatapfel' is reportedly extremely hardy.
Whether you're looking for traditional pinks, vibrant yellows, or fiery oranges, these hardy chrysanthemums are an excellent choice for adding a burst of colour to your autumn garden. Once the plant has finished flowering in late autumn, cut the whole plant down to 20cm from the base to prepare it for the next season.
- Landscape designers often incorporate hardy chrysanthemums into home-and-garden projects due to their long-lasting blooms and vibrant colors, serving as a perfect addition to autumn landscapes.
- Incorporating hardy chrysanthemums into one's home-and-garden lifestyle is beneficial not only for the aesthetic appeal but also for the emotional benefits that flowers can bring to a residence.
- Beyond the garden, homeowners may find delight in displaying chrysanthemum flower arrangements in their homes to complement the seasonal landscape and elevate their overall lifestyle.
