NOVEMBER FLOWER: May chrysanthemums brighten your world this month!
November 16, 2024
by Betty Tovar/Victoria County Master Gardener
PHOTO BY SUZANNE LABRECQUE
PHOTO BY BETTY TOVAR
PHOTO BY BETTY TOVAR
PHOTO BY BETTY TOVAR
You know fall has arrived when you start seeing potted Chrysanthemums in garden centers. Chrysanthemums, better known as mums, are the flower of the month for November. They add a welcome splash of color to our gardens when annual spring and summer flowers begin to fade.
Mums are herbaceous flowering plants, of the genus Chrysanthemum and are members of the Asteraceae (daisy) family. They are an ancient flower of rich symbolism and are native to East Asia, and northeastern Europe.
The name comes from the Ancient Greek: chrysos (gold) and anthemon (flower). In some parts of East Asia, yellow or white chrysanthemums (C. morifolium) are boiled to make tea and flowers and leaves are used in culinary dishes. Settlers brought mums over to America in colonial times.
Mums can be grown in the spring or fall. Bloom time in the fall is from late summer to frost. Technically, most are perennials, but more commonly grown as annuals. The wide range of colors include white, yellow, orange, lavender, purple, red and bicolor.
On average, depending on the variety, a mature plant can reach from 1 to 3 feet in height, and 2 to 3 feet wide. Flowers can range from 1 to 6 inches.
Mums come in many sizes, shapes, and varieties. Thousands of cultivars have been developed over the centuries. Most of the mums you see in garden centers are hardy varieties that do well outdoors.
A variety called ‘Football Mums’ are popularly used in corsages for fall homecoming celebrations. These mums, as well as Spider Mums, are considered cut-flower varieties.
Yellow Daisy (C. multicaule) and Painted Daisy (C. carinatum or C. tricolor) are varieties grown as house plants because they are not cold hardy. Use the foil wrapped ones you see in the floral section of the grocery store to decorate your house at Thanksgiving.
Mums are fairly easy to grow outdoors and attract butterflies. They can be used in beds, containers and even hanging baskets. Add a punch of color in flowerbeds by planting a row or border or by simply placing a pot or two amongst your other plants.
When planting, make sure you plant in well drained soil and at the same depth as the pot they came in. Add a good compost if your soil is poor. Adding a two-inch layer of mulch around them can help provide protection in cold weather. Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Generally, mums like full sun, six to eight hours daily depending on the variety. Do pay attention because they may need some shade from the afternoon sun.
Avoid planting in shade in order to prevent moisture conditions such as leaf spot and powdery mildew. Pinch or trim leggy stems and spent buds to encourage new growth.
Mums have shallow root systems and need more frequent watering, especially in hot weather. Avoid watering the leaves. Instead water at the base of the plant. Early morning watering is best. Keep moist but avoid over watering as it may cause the roots to rot.
Their shallow root system makes them ideal for containers. Make sure your pots or containers have drainage holes. If you are repotting, use a pot that is one size larger than the one the plant came in. Repotting is important because roots tend to become root bound.
Place mums on your porch, entrance or deck, making sure they receive adequate sunlight. Group other decorative items with them, such as pumpkins, which are available in many shapes, sizes, and colors in the fall. This arrangement will help to make your entrance colorful and inviting.
May chrysanthemums brighten your world this month!
Gardeners’ Dirt is provided by Victoria County Master Gardeners and published in The Victoria Advocate each weekend.