Chrysanthemums are Fall Beauties

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Fall Planting Guide

Plant snapdragons, pansies, and violas for color this fall, winter, and next spring. Lettuce can be planted from starts for a quick fall crop. Michaelmas daisies feature bright flowers in purples and dark reds—these perennials return yearly to brighten the fall garden.

Rough black spots on apples and their leaves are caused by the "scab" fungus. Nothing can be done now, but remember to spray trees next spring with lime sulfur just before the blossoms open.

Fall is for Planting! Trees, shrubs, lawns, ground covers, and bulbs get a jump on spring if planted now.

Chrysanthemums: Fall Beauties

The Greeks named it chrysos anthos—gold flower. The Chinese have revered it for thousands of years, and the Japanese made it their national flower in 910 A.D. Chrysanthemums ("mums") have been cultivated for centuries and make excellent cut flowers, lasting up to two weeks in a vase. They provide fresh color when most perennials have finished blooming.

• Grow 2 to 4 feet tall with long stems ideal for cutting.
• Fall-blooming varieties come in yellow, gold, rust, magenta, pink, white, purple, and lavender.
• Include "cushion" or "button" types (low, bushy plants) and tall varieties with larger flowers.
• Most have fully double blooms, 2 to 4 inches across.

Care and Cultivation

When purchased, mums are compact 4-inch potted plants treated with growth regulators. In your garden, they will grow 2 to 4 feet tall and require:

• Pinching: Frequent pinching until midsummer encourages bushy growth and abundant blooms. Stop by mid-July to allow flower buds to set. For prize-winning blooms, pinch all but one bud per stem.
• Staking: Taller varieties need support to prevent stem breakage.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
• Watering: Avoid overhead watering to prevent blossom rot.
• Pruning: After flowering, cut stalks down to a few inches above the ground for regrowth next year.

Plant mums in well-draining, compost-enriched soil in a sunny location. Space plants 18 inches to 2 feet apart and feed monthly through spring and summer until buds form. Stop feeding once buds show color.

Design Ideas

• Line flower beds along a house or fence.
• Fill containers by entryways with bright-colored mums.
• Create a vibrant display with mixed colors in a flower bed.

Enjoy this final burst of garden color and cut long-stemmed blooms for indoor arrangements.