The Fothergill's Introduction to Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are so often bought from the supermarket or florist, cut and ready for a vase, only to have a few weeks to shine before they get thrown away. And while that’s great for temporary pops of colour in your home, there’s far more pleasure to be found in growing them yourself.

 

The wonderful thing about ‘garden mums’, as they are so affectionately known, is that they’ll keep coming back year after year, as long as you look after them. Don’t be afraid to get your hands in the dirt and experience the joy of planting chrysanthemums of your own.

 

If you haven’t thought about giving these hardy perennials a chance, let’s talk about why it’s well worth bringing them into your garden, and how rewarding it’ll be when they bloom in the autumn.

Loved for thousands of years

Originally cultivated in China over 2,500 years ago, chrysanthemums became wildly popular across East Asia, and annual festivals to celebrate the flower are still held in China, Japan, and Korea to this day. They didn’t arrive in Europe until the 17th century but eventually grew in popularity and remain a staple of the cut flower market.

 

After thousands of years of cultivation, chrysanthemums have become one of the most highly sought after flowers across the globe.

They're versatile

Not only are chrysanthemums one of the most popular flowers in the world, but they’re also one of the most versatile, thanks to their amazing blooms of different shapes, sizes, and colours. Let us introduce you to a few well-loved types:

Irregular Incurve 
The largest bloom of the chrysanthemum genus, with petals that loosely curve inwards from the base and close at the centre. The lower petals usually droop and create a ‘skirted’ effect, giving this beloved flower its ‘irregular’ title.


Decorative 
Favoured as cut flowers, this flattened bloom has shorter, dense petals. The lower petals curve outward, while its upper florets curve inward to its centre.


Single 
These daisy-like blooms have up to five rows of flat petals surrounding a central yellow disc with a green centre.


Pompon 
Tightly packed tubular florets make up this aptly named chrysanthemum, which start a little flat when the plant is young but become fully rounded when mature.

All of these types and more can be found within our range.

 

Their versatility doesn’t end with their appearance, though. They’re some of the best cut flowers available thanks to their long vase life, and will frequently outlive more delicate plants. They’re great for filling gaps in beds and borders, brightening up any pots or containers, and keeping colour in your garden through the dreary winter months.

 

There are other types of chrysanthemums that don’t come back every year (annuals), such as the striking Rainbow Chrysanthemum. These are quick and easy to grow from seed, and will die at the end of their cycle.

Top tips for planting your own

Chrysanthemums are easier to care for than you might think, and have a few simple requirements to keep them coming back:

  • They love sunshine. They don’t necessarily need to be in full sun all day, but make sure they have a good amount of light throughout the day and no shade from overhanging tree branches, and they’ll be happy.
  • Give them well drained, moderately fertile soil.
  • They hate soggy soil during winter. These hardy perennials will not survive the winter months if the soil has poor drainage, but you can make sure they do by working organic matter into the soil, such as well-rotted manure. This is especially necessary in heavy clay soils.

Some people prefer to keep chrysanthemums in pots to avoid dealing with soggy winter soil, keeping them sheltered in an unheated greenhouse instead.

They're wonderful cut flowers

Chrysanthemums are naturally long lasting cut flowers, but we’ve got some tips to help you get the most out of them:
  • The (important) basics: a clean vase and clean water reduces the risk of bacterial problems, and flower food provides sugars that will help the flowers last.
  • Choose taller, long-stemmed varieties.
  • Cut the base of all stems at an angle to allow the stems to easily absorb water.
  • Remove any leaves that are going to be below the waterline to prevent them from rotting.
  • Cut a couple of centimetres off the bottom of the stems every few days to avoid bacteria building up and blocking water moving up the stems.
  • Remove any foliage as soon as it starts looking tired or pale to make sure the energy and nutrients keep flowing where they should.

If you’re cutting from your own garden, check to see if the base of the stems are woody and if they are, cut them away. Woody stems don’t absorb water very well.

Fun facts about chrysanthemums

  • The Imperial crest of Japan is a double-layered, 16-petal chrysanthemum.
  • The world record for the tallest chrysanthemum was grown right here in the UK, reaching a height of 4.34m tall (14ft 3in), which is almost as tall as a double decker bus!
  • Even though they originated in China, the name ‘chrysanthemum’ actually comes from the Ancient Greek words “chrysos” and “anthemon” which mean “gold” and “flower”.
  • The first major publication to describe chrysanthemums was the 1796 edition of The Botanical Magazine.

Ready to give chrysanthemums a go?

Take a look at our range and get ready to bring some excitement into your garden this autumn.
Woolmans Chrysanthemum Hardy Plant Collection
Woolmans Chrysanthemum Gompie Flower Plant Collection

Woolmans Chrysanthemum Hardy Plant Collection

£10.49
£12.95
Superb performers, all of these varieties are hardy, so can be planted into borders to flower year after year. Very easy to grow and full of autumn colour.

Collection includes 5 young plants, 1 each of:

Chrysanthemum Spartan Fire - Firey orange coloured blooms with a yellow tip, this hardy variety is perfect for flowering year after year for stunning autumn colour.
Chrysanthemum Spartan Canary - Canary yellow coloured blooms, this hardy variety is perfect for flowering year after year for stunning autumn colour.
Chrysanthemum Peggy - Orangy coloured blooms with a darker centre, this hardy variety is perfect for flowering year after year for stunning autumn colour.
Chrysanthemum Mrs Jessie Cooper - Strong pink coloured blooms with a yellow centre, this hardy variety is perfect for flowering year after year for stunning autumn colour.
Chrysanthemum Early Yellow - Brightly yellow coloured blooms, this hardy variety is perfect for flowering year after year for stunning autumn colour.

Our Young Plants
✔ Our quality young plants are delivered direct to your door at just the right time for planting and growing on.
✔ A specially selected range, including many F1 hybrids.
✔ All varieties have been grown an(more...)
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