Chrysanthemum Morifolium
How to Grow the Romantic, Beautiful, Chrysanthemum Morifolium
The chrysanthemum morifolium, or mum as my mom always called it, was a symbol of love and romance from the time I was a little girl—my father would send a huge box of yellow mums to my mother every year on her birthday. They arrived at our door in a box tied with a huge fancy bow of yellow, exuding a wonderful fragrance -- the comingling of the flower’s petals and stems, baby’s breath, and the green waxy florist paper in which they were wrapped.
They lasted a month or more in water. The blooms were 5 inches across. I always remember how my mom’s face would soften with love, sometimes tears, each time the flowers arrived. Dad would spare no expense, going to the finest florist in town. But you don’t have to go to the florist or spend your grocery money to delight your sweetheart with a bouquet of these bright color spots of nature’s wealth.
Although known primarily for use in the floral industry, the chrysanthemum morifolium is a flower of many uses, as well as being easy to grow. In Chinese herbal medicine, it is thought to relieve headaches and vision problems. And it makes a lovely potted plant.
Chrysanthemum morifolium has several common names including florist daisy, florists mum, or hardy garden mum. The USDA plant database classifies chrysanthemum morifolium, a member of the aster family, as a perennial shrub or sub-shrub.
They bloom in late summer and fall, prized for the color they bring at a time of year when the garden can look dismal. Most will flower well into November.
This plant is available in several shades of pink, red, yellow, gold, white, lavender, purple, bronze, and multi-colored. Flowers forms include laciniated (the petals look shredded), pompom (the kind my father sent), pinwheel, anemone, daisy, or appearing like fireworks exploding on 4th of July, with long narrow petals, also called the spider form.
Growing the chrysanthemum morifolium
Zones: According to the Sunset Western Garden Book, chrysanthemum morifolium thrive in zones 2 to 24, and H1 (a region in Hawaii).
Exposure: They need full sun or part shade. If temperatures are in the high eighties or better for much of the summer, plant in part shade.
Growth Habit: May grow from 12 inches up to six feet tall. They will need staking if tall and lanky.
Propagation: Take cuttings from the middle of the plant, discarding the woody outer stems. Avoid exposure to temperatures below 60 degrees until well established.
Planting: This mum should be planted in early spring. Start 2 weeks prior, to prepare the soil for them. Provide a deep hole and use a rich blend of organic matter with a well-balanced fertilizer. Plant in a well-drained area.
Watering: Water at regular intervals, daily in summer, allowing to dry between applications. If kept continually wet the leaves will get yellow, then black, and eventually fall off.
Pinch back green growth to get a healthy, dense plant. While in bloom, constantly deadhead for maximum flowering. When dormant, clip to about 8 inches. Rest assured they will return every spring, giving years of fall interest in your yard or container garden.