As the year starts to wind down, it’s finally time for one of my favorite garden stars to take center stage: the chrysanthemum! Even though you can find them at garden centers pretty much year-round these days, fall is still the true “mums the word” season. Depending on which varieties you pick, you can keep your garden glowing with color well into the chilly months.
Shapes, Sizes, and a Rainbow of Colors
One of the coolest things about mums is just how diverse they are. The chrysanthemum bloom comes in so many different styles. Some look like delicate little daisies or asters, while “decorative” mums are big, bold, and showy. You’ll find single, semi-double, or fully double blooms, and if you really want to wow the neighbors, check out the pompon varieties—they look like little floral softballs! From “spider” mums with long, spindly petals to anemone-style blooms with wide petals, there’s a look for everyone. And the colors? We’re talking a total rainbow. Beyond the classic fall palette of:
- White
- Yellow
- Red
- Orange
- Brown
Breeders have given us everything from lemon yellow and gold to soft pink, vibrant purple, bronze, apricot, and even bicolor or blue-toned beauties.
Making the Most of the Long Blooming Season
The one thing all chrysanthemum varieties have in common is that they save their best performance for the last quarter of the year. Some early birds start popping in August, while others wait until October to join the party. Generally, you can expect about two to three months of solid color. Some hardy types will even brighten up those gloomy November days! Pro tip: If you want to stretch out that blooming window, stay on top of deadheading. Just be a little careful when snipping off faded flowers—usually, there are fresh new buds hiding right underneath them just waiting for their turn to shine.
Popular Varieties and When They Bloom
If you’re looking for summer color, *Chrysanthemum frutescens* (the Marguerite daisy) is a tall grower that gets started early. On the other hand, *Indicum* hybrids stay a bit more compact (around 18 inches) and keep pumping out new flowers from fall straight into winter. Here are a few of my favorite picks to help you plan your garden:
- Goldmarie: A stunning golden-yellow that kicks off in late August.
- Kleiner Bernstein: Beautiful apricot tones that shine from October through November.
- Fellbacher Wein: A rich, wine-red beauty perfect for September and October.
- Ordensstern: Gorgeous golden-bronze blooms from August all the way to November.
- White Bouquet: Classic white pompon flowers that look great in September and October.
- Yellow Satellite: Fun, lemon-yellow “spider” blooms that last from September to November.
