Chrysanthemums ensure a colorful garden even in autumn. We take a closer look at the most beautiful and well-known types of chrysanthemums.
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum) are not only convincing because their late blooming delays the onset of winter. Intensive breeding offers more than 10,000 varieties for the garden chrysanthemum alone, which bloom in a wide variety of colors and at different times. From simple to semi-double to double ponpon flowers, chrysanthemums leave nothing to be desired for the hobby botanist.
Chrysanthemum indicum: properties and origin
The species Chrysanthemum indicum is known by many names. It is called Chinese chrysanthemum, Japanese chrysanthemum or Indian chrysanthemum. However, most know it as the autumn chrysanthemum. It is one of the main parents of the garden chrysanthemum. However, it is worth reducing them not only to their known descendants. In the garden, the species is particularly popular because of its good winter hardiness. She badly needs this in her homeland, which stretches from China to Korea, Taiwan, India, Bhutan, Japan, Nepal and Russia to Uzbekistan. Here it grows on roadsides, mountain slopes, fields and under shrubs at heights of up to 2,900 meters. The robust plant also gets along well with damp and s alty locations near the river or beach. The 0.25 to 1 m high perennials flower from August to November, depending on the variety. During this time, the fruits known as achenes also form. A wonderfully aromatic tea can be brewed from these and the fresh or dried flower heads and leaves. Alternatively, the plant parts can also end up in the bath water. The flower heads can also be pickled in vinegar and the young leaves can be eaten cooked.
Chrysanthemum species: The most beautiful and popular species
Chrysanthemum genus (Chrysanthemum) includes 37 to 40different species and innumerable varieties with impressive ornamental value. Most of the varieties offered here belong to the autumn chrysanthemums or their hybrids. Here are a few hardy eye-catchers for the garden and balcony:
- Poesie: Many semi-double white flowers from early October; high stability; good vigour; very suitable for perennial beds.
- Small Amber: Large, semi-double flowers in apricot with yellow pistils; flowering September and October; very good perennial rating.
- Herbstrubin: Ruby red double flowers; late flowering until November; protect flowers from frost if necessary.
- Dernier Soleil: Single orange flower with a yellow center; early and long flowering phase from August to November; bee friendly.
- Vrenli: Semi-double flowers in October/November in copper red.
- Hebe: Single violet flowers; flowering period from October to November; excellent perennial rating; bee friendly.
- (Red) Julchen: dark carmine pink/light pink ponpon flower; high stability; very good suitability in perennial beds; Flowering from October to November.
- Fellbacher Wein: Semi-double flowers from September in bright red; very old variety.
- Mist Rose: blooms in October/November in silver pink; very easy to care for.
- Order Star: Double gold-bronze flowers; very long flowering period from August to November.
Note: There are so-called Zawadskii hybrids. These are particularly vigorous, hardy and early flowering. They include the perennial cultivar 'Clara Curtis' with pale petals and a yellow centre, and the cultivar 'Duchess of Edinburgh' with semi-double, rich red flowers and a yellow centre.
You can find expert tips on planting and caring for chrysanthemums in our special article.