Chrysanthemums are spectacular flowers that are perfect for late summer and autumn displays, available in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Flowers can vary depending on their variety, but you can grow single, pompon and spider-like blooms amongst others.
Growing Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums grow best in warm, sunny but sheltered spots with well-drained soil. To encourage healthy growth and flowering, choose an area that receives plenty of sunlight.
How to Plant Chrysanthemum:
- Space plants 30–45cm apart
- When planting taller varieties, add a stake for support
- If planting in containers, use a peat-free John Innes No. 2 compost
- Water thoroughly after planting
When planting your chrysanthemums in containers or pots, make sure there are drainage holes to prevent the soil becoming waterlogged.
Caring for Chrysanthemums
Newly planted chrysanthemums need regular watering throughout the growing season. In warm, dry weather make sure that the soil never completely dries out.
Feed your chrysanthemums regularly during the growing season with a high potassium fertiliser, such as tomato feed, to encourage plenty of flowers. Mulch with garden compost or well-rotted organic matter to improve plant growth, suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Once your chrysanthemums begin flowering, deadhead spent blooms regularly to keep them looking tidy and prolong the display. Taller varieties may need additional support as they grow using a stake, especially when they become heavy with flowers.
Seasonal Care for Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums can be planted outside in late spring, after the last frost which is typically between mid-May to early June. If they have been stored over winter, your chrysanthemums will need to be acclimatised to outdoor conditions by hardening off for a few weeks beforehand.
Plants bought in summer can be put straight into containers and borders, as may already be in full flower, providing instant colour to your garden. Water and feed regularly throughout the growing season, especially while your chrysanthemums are becoming established.
Once chrysanthemums have finished flowering in late autumn, prune by cutting the whole plant down to 20cm tall. Lift the plants and store the roots in a frost-free, dry location indoors until they are ready to be replanted in spring. If you have hardy chrysanthemums and choose to leave them in the ground over winter, protect them from the frost by covering the roots in a thick layer of mulch. Although this isn’t as effective as lifting, it can still protect chrysanthemums grown in a sunny, sheltered garden. If your chrysanthemums are grown in containers they should be relocated to a sheltered, warmer area during the winter months, such as under cover or beside a wall, for additional protection.
What to Plant with Chrysanthemums
As chrysanthemums are perfect for adding a burst of late summer and autumn colour, pair them with plants that have a similar flowering period to maximise impact in your garden.
Salvias are particularly effective, with their upright flower spikes providing contrast against the rounded blooms of chrysanthemums.
Ornamental grasses are another excellent companion, adding texture and movement to borders.
For autumn pots and containers, try combining chrysanthemums with cyclamen and seasonal foliage plants to create eye-catching displays for patios and doorsteps.
If you are planting for a wildlife garden, plant single bloomed, daisy-like chrysanthemums alongside single-flowered dahlias and asters. Their open blooms provide accessible pollen and nectar for beneficial insects as other flowers begin to fade.
Things to Watch Out For
When grown in the right conditions, chrysanthemums are generally straightforward to care for, but it’s still worth checking your plants regularly for signs of pests and diseases.
Common pests can include slugs, snails, aphids, earwigs and red spider mites. Deal with pests as soon as you spot them to prevent significant damage.
Chrysanthemums can also be affected by diseases including chrysanthemum white rust, powdery mildew and grey mould. Good airflow, avoiding overwatering and removing affected plant material can help keep plants healthy.
Adding Autumn Colour
If you’re looking for a plant to add flowers throughout late summer and autumn, then chrysanthemums are the perfect plant for you. With their huge variety of flower shapes and colours, they can brighten borders, patios and containers when many other summer favourites are beginning to fade.
Visit your local Tates of Sussex Garden Centre today to explore our range of chrysanthemums and add autumnal colour to your garden. Our knowledgeable, friendly team are always happy to offer advice on the best variety for your space.
Watch our latest plant of the week on YouTube, featuring chrysanthemums, to find out more!
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