Understanding Chrysanthemums: Annuals or Perennials?
Mums, as they are called, or chrysanthemums, are the most popular garden flower in the world. Their riot of color is a beautiful addition to any yard in fall and is ideal for gardeners who want simple beauty. However, one thing usually asked when creating a garden with them is whether chrysanthemums are perennials or annuals. Answer: It's different depending on what kind of mum you're getting, the climate around you, and how they're raised.
Garden mums (hardy chrysanthemums) are perennials. If kept in good care, they will flower season after season and are exceptionally hardy in USDA zones 5-9. They have sound root systems and are resistant to cooler temperatures, making them a tremendous perennial plant. These mums flower less profusely and more compactly, making them great for dense, bright borders.
Florist chrysanthemums, however, which you will encounter in bouquets or potted plants, are an annual. These are the more showy flowering varieties and can not be as winter-hardy. They usually cannot withstand bitter winters if not cared for and protected. Even in a warm region, they don't always return next year.
Find hardy varieties if you're gardening in colder climates and want to grow chrysanthemums as perennials. Planting in well-drained soil in the fall and with plenty of sunlight will help them survive the winter and return more decisive the following year.
Care Tips for Long-Lasting Chrysanthemums
If you want to know whether chrysanthemums will work as annuals or perennials in your yard, you must care for them properly. Tips to make them successful here:
Planting Time: Plant chrysanthemums in early spring or late summer to allow them to root before bad weather. Mums planted in autumn can be unreliable all winter because the roots haven't yet germinated.
Quality of the soil: Chrysanthemums prefer good drainage and organically enriched soil. Roots that get waterlogged will rot, so beware of heavy clay soils.
Watering Instructions: Always water the soil well, especially during blooming. But don't overwater, as chrysanthemums love moisture.
Preparation for Winter: If you live in a cold climate, trim the plants back to a couple of inches above the soil when the first frost comes. Sprinkle the roots with plenty of mulch to warm them in the winter.
In the right conditions, durable chrysanthemums can give your garden years of grace and are an investment in perennial beds.
3 Plants To Match Your Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums themselves are showstoppers, but with the help of some other plants, they can bring a splash of color to your backyard. Here are three that work exceptionally well with chrysanthemums or add their style to any garden:
1. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica):
Virginia Bluebells are beautiful, with clumps of bell-shaped flowers that range from pale blue to pink. These perennials love part-shade and fertile soil, so they're a great plant around early-flowering mums. They are pollinators, bees, and butterflies, thus ecologically and beautiful. They grow to an elegant size with green foliage and make a lovely contrast to the colors of chrysanthemums, making for a balanced garden design.
2. Redbud Trees (Cercis canadensis):
Redbud trees are tiny deciduous trees with beautiful pink or purple flowers in early spring. Their heart-shaped leaves stand in sharp contrast to chrysanthemums' heaps of blossoms. Adding a redbud tree next to your mums can add interest to your garden from the sky. These trees require full to partial sun but will work with most gardens.
3. Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris):
Feathery fronds give any garden a bit of drama. Their leafy green color is an elegant texture against the flamboyant, vivid flowers of chrysanthemums. They're home in shaded or semi-shaded spots with wet, humusy soil. Plant them in between mums for an interlocking look that frames your landscaping.
Chrysanthemums: The Versatile Garden Choice
Whether annuals or perennials, chrysanthemums are a sure bet for every garden. Since they come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, there are no limits to what they can do to create amazing landscapes. They are perennials that will grow in most conditions, which means they are popular among expert gardeners. Still, they're so simple to care for that even a beginner can have their beautiful flowers with little trouble.
Pairing chrysanthemums with companions like Virginia Bluebells, Redbud Trees, or Ostrich Ferns enhances the garden's look and adds variety. Learn how to care for chrysanthemums; they will be beautiful, year after year, for gardeners who know their ins and outs.
For garden lovers who love the fall garden, nothing is more elegant than chrysanthemums, which bring color to the cool, windy fall months.