How long do chrysanthemums last? Experts reveal |
There are some flowers that have become classics in flower gardens, and chrysanthemums are certainly one of them. Mums come in a wide range of gorgeous colors and different shapes. No matter which one you plant, they are guaranteed to add vibrant color to your garden.
Growing chrysanthemums is quite easy as they are fairly easy to care for once they are established. They are part of the daisy family and will bloom every year as perennials in your cut flower garden. However, you may not be sure how long they last. If you haven’t done a little research, it can be confusing as these bright blooms are divided into early and late bloomers, meaning that chrysanthemum flowers can appear at different times.
But don’t worry, I’ve spoken to gardening experts and broken down exactly when early and late-flowering chrysanthemums bloom and how long they last.
When do early chrysanthemums bloom?
(Image credit: Brent Waltermire / Alamy Stock Photo)
If you want to enjoy the wonderful colors and blooms of these traditional flowers towards the end of summer and into fall, consider growing early-blooming chrysanthemums.
“Chrysanthemums are sensitive to daylight and bloom in response to decreasing daylight hours and temperatures,” explains Meredith Bishopsustainable flower grower and owner of Bloom and Bounty. “Early season chrysanthemums start forming buds when daylight hours are reduced to 14 hours a day, and they generally bloom about eight weeks later,” she adds.
This usually happens around the beginning of September and you can enjoy a wonderful display of flowers for about six weeks. Chrysanthemums can be grown in US hardiness zones 5 to 9 and in some locations they will even bloom as early as mid-August.
If you want to grow early-blooming chrysanthemums, sow seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last spring frost. “You can then transplant them to the garden when there is no longer any danger of frost,” says Meredith. “Or you can sow them directly to the garden in the spring, although germination rates are often lower when direct-sown,” she adds.
The best early flowering chrysanthemum varieties include chrysanthemum “Nantyderry Sunshine”, chrysanthemum ‘Misty Cream’ and chrysanthemum “Allouise.”
Meredith Bishop is a sustainable flower grower specializing in heirloom flowers grown from seed in her gardens in the greater Nashville, Tennessee area. She also runs a retail design studio in Nashville and enjoys teaching, speaking, and writing about all aspects of flower gardening.
When do late-flowering chrysanthemums bloom?
(Image credit: Paul Maguire / Alamy Stock Photo)
Alternatively, you may want to grow chrysanthemums as one of the best fall flowers for pots. In this case, choose late-blooming chrysanthemums that emerge after the early bloomers and stay into winter.
“Late varieties bloom in late September or early October and have a similar flowering period of four to six weeks,” says Meredith.
Just like early-blooming chrysanthemums, you can start late-blooming chrysanthemums indoors and then transplant them. “Chrysanthemum seeds take about 16 weeks to bloom,” notes the horticultural expert and founder of Yardwork. Michael Clarke“We recommend planting seeds for late-flowering varieties in late May/early June,” he adds.
The best late-flowering chrysanthemum varieties include chrysanthemum “Daniel Cooper”, chrysanthemum ‘Starlet’ and chrysanthemum “Jante Wells.”
Regardless of whether you choose early or late flowering chrysanthemums, be sure to avoid sowing mistakes to ensure successful germination and growth.
Michael Clarke is the founder of Yardwork and Pulled, the online platforms for everything related to home and garden. He holds a degree in landscape architecture and horticulture from the University of California Davis.
Growing chrysanthemums at home
Start your seeds in these seed trays, which feature vents to regulate the temperature and humidity in your environment, as well as drainage holes to control moisture levels. Each tray can hold up to 12 seedlings.
Chrysanthemum seeds in mixed colors
Plant these multi-colored chrysanthemum seeds for a splash of autumn color in your garden. They can be started indoors and transplanted, or sown directly outdoors after the spring frost.
Keep track of the different types of plants you grow with these plant labels. This pack includes 300 labels and a permanent marker. Perfect for labeling seedlings when you start seeds indoors.
FAQ
Should you prune chrysanthemums after they bloom?
Chrysanthemums are beautiful perennial flowers that return every year, which is why it’s important to remove the spent blooms in the fall or winter. Removing the spent blooms also keeps your chrysanthemum plants looking beautiful and prepares them for the coldest seasons before they bloom again in late summer.
How do you make chrysanthemums bloom longer?
There are a few things you can do to keep chrysanthemums blooming.
“To achieve a longer flowering period, protect the flowers from direct sunlight, as this will cause the flowers to wilt more quickly. Sunlight is necessary for the buds to open, but once the flowers are ripe, shade is preferable,” says Meredith Bishopsustainable flower grower and owner of Bloom and Bounty.
Likewise, you should be careful not to water chrysanthemums incorrectly if you want them to bloom longer. “Because they are susceptible to aphids and mildew, we recommend watering them only at ground level and not using overhead watering,” says the horticulture expert and founder of Yardwork. Michael Clarke.
Typically, you can enjoy blooming chrysanthemums for several weeks, but it’s important to note that this also depends on factors such as your local climate and the onset of early frost. You can also encourage more blooms in the same season, notes Michael. “To encourage extra blooms and fuller plants, you can pinch off about 3/4 inch (19 mm) from each branch when the plants are 6 inches (15 cm) tall,” he says.
Once you have successfully grown chrysanthemums and your plants are well established, take the time to winterize the chrysanthemums so they can survive the coldest part of the year and you will see them come back in the next growing season.
