Guest Author - Hellie T.

The little yellow chrysanthemum has been around since about 5000BC – today there are many different forms of chrysanthemums but the best known in English Gardens are the singles. These bloom in late summer and autumn and are hardy perennials.

They are very easy to grow and make great colourful plants for the autumn garden as they burst into flower just as the summer flowering plants are starting to look tired.
They also make excellent blooms for long-lasting indoor flower arrangements. Chrysanthemums look good when planted with English Garden favourites such as asters, sedums, anemones and silver leaved plants.

Chrysanthemums start to flower from early August and if they are not cut back by the frosts they may continue to flower right up to December.
So you can have a flowering display until the plants are affected by the frost.The onessuited best for an English Garden come in yellow, pink, orange, cream, white, crimson and pastel shades.

Where to plant
Chrysanthemums like well-drained spot and a sunny location.
They will do quite well in a spot that has at least six hours of sunshine. They prefer a rich soil with plenty of compost or leaf mould or well-rotted manure.
If you are planting in containers make sure you put in plenty of crocks so the plant will not suffer from water logged soil.

How to plant
If you buy your Chrysanthemum plants from a catalogue then they will arrive between May and June. If they are small plants then pop them into pots until they get going and growing well. The same applies if you buy young plants from a nursery or garden shop. Then plant in the garden where you want them to flower.

Spacing – leave about 12-14 inches between the plants.
Plant them in groups of threes, fives or sevens for the best effect. Don’t plant them any deeper than they were in the pot.

Get more plants
When your chrysanthemums are about 3 years old they will need dividing or splitting. In the spring you can dig up and divide clumps.

Winter care
Chrysanthemums will do well in Zones 3-9, however if you are concerned about the cold - this applies to places that have severe frosts and periods of prolonged frosts – then it is best to dig up your plants, cut them back and keep in a protective area such as a shed or cold frame, or any place where they will be protected from the frosts. Alternatively you can leave them in the ground but put a good layer of mulch around and over them.


How to choose
There are many many types so it is best to get yourself a specialist catalogue or two. These will tell you the names of plants, their colour and height and are often fully illustrated so you can see what you are getting.
Libray books are also a good source of pictures and names. The best way is to visit a garden or nursery in the autumn so you can see for yourself what the plants look like and it makes a good outing!

Here are a few of my favourite chrysanthemums that look good in an English Garden. If in doubt choose only the hardy types.

White knight good for cutting and containers – it flowers for many weeks with lovely white petals and a golden centre grows to 18” - another similar chrysanthemum is Silver Princess.

Look out for mixtures of colours sold as in hardy patio chrysanthemums as these will do very well in pots and containers.

Spartan Seagull is a creamy white
Tapestry Rose has mauve petals and a daisy like appearance
As does Innocence and Aunt Millicent but with pink petals.

Nantyderry Sunshine has little yellow daisy like flowers.

Often you can find mixtures sold as hardy cottage garden chrysanthemums

There are also chrysanthemums sold as cushion mums which are ideal for edging and pots.

Enjoy your garden!