Hardy Chrysanthemums
by Pat Hunter
When you think of Chrysanthemums it maybe as cut flowers or the huge balls that are grown as ‘show’ Chrysanthemums, both of which are usually grown under cover. As ‘hardy planters’, however, there is another group, which are late season herbaceous perennials for the garden. The Aster family takes colour through the Autumn border, and as the Symphyotrichum run out of steam the hardy Chrysanthemums follow on, pushing Winter further back.
Chrysanthemums were first used in China in the 15th Century BC as a herb and they were commonly used in Chinese artworks and culture, this was followed by their presence in Japan. They did not reach the western world until the 17th Century. Today in Belgium and Austria, Chrysanthemums are used almost exclusively for graveyards. In France they are associated strongly with death, and it would not be a good idea to take a host a bunch or a pot plant of them. This custom came about from the 1st World War Armistice Day when not many other flowers were around.
Much breeding later, particularly crossing with the very cold tolerant species, has resulted in the hardy garden “mums”.
‘Dixter Orange’ has been in flower here since September:
There is a large variety of colours available.
There are 3 sites that make up the National Collection, the Victorian Gentleman’s Gardens at Warwick, Norwell Nursery in Nottinghamshire which some of you may know from talks by Andrew Ward or by visiting the garden and nursery, and the third site is at two allotments in London.
Figs 2 and 2a. Part of the Plant Heritage Dispersed National Collection at Hill Close Gardens Warwick.
Hardy Chrysanthemums are easily grown from cuttings planted out in Spring after the last frosts to give them the best chance of survival, although they are frost hardy. It is the winter wet that is the death knell to some. Some of the taller varieties can reach nearly 2m but by chopping back in Spring to about 25cms, they will not have the time to become quite so tall.
As with all Chrysanths there are many flower forms, small buttons as in ‘Julia Peterson’ Fig3. And ‘Mei-Kyo’, a lovely variety that I have had and lost (sigh!). Both of these are short in stature.
My longest lasting Chrysanth, as in years in the garden, is an unknown white that came from Norwell Nursery. It can be a bit lanky, but a lovely white double flower that brightens a dark corner. Fig4.
This is followed by ‘Burnt Orange’, Fig 5, Which is lanky but very floriferous with orange/red quilled petals. Quite different. To give a bit more interest during the year ‘Burnt Orange’ has quite finely cut foliage as well Fig 8.
And then there is ‘Picasso’, a HPS Conservation plant. I can see why it is there. I have grown this twice now, the first time it grew rapidly during the Summer, flowered prolifically, in its classic dome shape, Fig 6. Superb I thought! It survived the winter but in its second year it never put on enough growth to even take cuttings and the disappeared. Not to be beaten, I am trying again, as I love the little bronze buttons, Fig 7.
At the end of the herbaceous border in my front garden at the moment is ‘Elaine’s Hardy’, Fig 9. This is a white that lights up the end of the border at this time of year. It is of medium height but if you want a lovely compact white, ‘Angela Blundell’ is lovely, Fig 10.
If you are following the RHS Award of Garden Merit varieties, the best for me is ‘Dulwich Pink’, Fig11, and Fig12.
This is followed by ‘Golden Greenheart’, Fig13 – A gorgeous light apricot to bronze.
I know some of you do not follow ‘the yellows’ but ‘Nantderry Sunshine’ is a sturdy grower for the yellow colour scheme, Fig14.
And finally, two tall pinks from my garden, the dark ‘Uri’, Fig15, and ‘Emperor of China’ a very old variety but a lovely flower colour, Fig16.
If you want a good read the HPS book on Hardy Garden Chrysanthemums by Judy Barker is to be recommended. There is an excellent chart that gives the winter wet susceptability of quite a few varieties, thus reducing the risk of losing too many for those of us, who, despite this Summer, do have a wet Winter garden.
Once they have flowered and passed through winter, don’t forget, as the new growth starts up, they are very easy from cuttings thus producing plants to pass on to friends or bring to the plant sales.
Images courtesy of Pat Hunter