- Chrysanthemums: meaning and origin
- Chrysanthemums on the balcony and in the garden
- Care for chrysanthemums properly
- Are chrysanthemums perennial?
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Thanks to the chrysanthemums, there is still a lot going on in the garden in autumn. Here are some helpful tips for caring for chrysanthemums.
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum) enchant the heart of every garden lover in autumn. The genus, which comes from the daisy family (Asteraceae), is one of the last to flower, but with its colorful, simple to double flowers it is in no way inferior to the plants of earlier seasons. On the contrary, they are unrivaled due to their late flowering and round off the autumnal overall picture of every garden or balcony, especially in warm copper tones. Nevertheless, they are extremely undemanding garden dwellers that you can usually enjoy for years with the right care and minimal winter protection.
Chrysanthemums: meaning and origin
The name chrysanthemum is derived from ancient Greek and means "gold blossom" or "gold flower". Giving away a chrysanthemum signals that my heart is free. In Japan, the chrysanthemum is considered the national flower. The Chrysanthemum Order is one of the highest awards there. In China, the plant represents prosperity and happiness, while in France it represents death and mourning. This important autumn bloomer originally comes mainly from East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Russia). In China, the garden chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium), a hybrid of different species, has been cultivated for 1600 years. It is considered one of the most important horticultural crops, which is also reflected in the thousands of cultivars. The pretty flowers are pleasing to the eye in two respects, because in Ayurveda medicine they are used to treat eye inflammation and skin blemishes. In rare cases, however, contact with the plant parts leads to allergies and skin irritation.
When is the flowering season for chrysanthemums?
The solitary inflorescences are cup-shaped and usually bloom in autumn from September to November. Itthe female ray florets, with their pink to red or yellow ray florets, are distinguished from the hermaphrodite tubular florets, which glow yellow. In the meantime, cultivars also offer other colors as well as multicolored and double flowers. Incidentally, varieties in pink and purple tones flower the longest.
Note: Flowering can be stimulated and thus pushed forward by briefly covering the plants in summer to simulate shorter days. As with the poinsettia, the formation of flowers only begins at the equinox.
Chrysanthemum indicum: The autumn chrysanthemum in your own garden
The autumn chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum) is ideal for planting out in the garden due to its good winter hardiness. This perennial species blooms in our latitudes from August to November and comes in a wide variety of colors depending on the variety. So your perennial border can give everything again in autumn. The following must be observed when planting:
- Location: Sunny and sheltered from the wind
- Soil: garden soil; nutritious; permeable
- Planting period: spring to early summer (March - May)
You can do something good for bees with single-flowering autumn chrysanthemums, because they serve as a late food source. You can find more information about the autumn chrysanthemum and other decorative chrysanthemum species here.
Chrysanthemums on the balcony and in the garden
If the chrysanthemums are to be planted out in the garden, it is best to use the more robust garden or autumn chrysanthemums. These can be overwintered outside with the right protection. Planting time here is May so that the plants have enough time to establish themselves properly in the soil before winter. Frost-sensitive pot chrysanthemums are also suitable for the balcony, but they prefer to migrate to a protected winter quarters in the cold season. The difference is not only in the different winter hardiness of the varieties, but also in the rearing of the autumn bloomers. While pot chrysanthemums are grown in the greenhouse, the garden variety grows outdoors. Not only does this affect resilience, it also promotes a longer flowering period with intensely colored buds.
The right location for chrysanthemums
On the balcony or in the garden, the plants feel at home in a suitable place and give you their full bloom in autumn. Where:
- Location: Sunny to partial shade; dry; sheltered from the wind
- Soil: Rich in nutrients; permeable; calcareous; not too dry or too moist
If the plants are to be overwintered outside, a dry and wind-protected place is particularly important. Here, for example, a protected spot on the house wall is suitable. In the case of less permeable soils, winter wetness in particular can become a problem. Lay out a drainage layer of gravel or broken pottery or loosen the soil by mixing in sand. You can combine them with grasses or other late bloomers as you wish. Keep the distance between plants small, because chrysanthemums only grow sparsely after planting.
Chrysanthemums in a pot
Chrysanthemums are one of the last flowering plants of the year and thus extend the flowering garden season even further. In order for the autumn bloomers to grow into a real ornament on the balcony, terrace or even as a houseplant, the following must be observed:
- Substrate: soil for flowers, vegetables or herbs
- pot: drain pipe; Drainage layer (gravel, potsherds)
- Location: No direct sun
It is particularly important to create a good water drainage for the plants that are sensitive to waterlogging. Do not place the pot or bucket on a saucer so that excess water can drain off easily. In addition, the flowers are only hardy to -2 °C. If there is a risk of frost, place the pot inside overnight. After flowering, perennial chrysanthemums are cut back to just above the ground and overwintered in a sheltered winter quarters. This also applies to indoor chrysanthemums, because the plants also need their hibernation. Alternatively, the chrysanthemums can be planted uncut in the bed after flowering. Specimens planted in this way should come back even better the next year than those left in the pot. When planting out, just make sure the ground isn't frozen.
Note: Chrysanthemums are also suitable as houseplants, particularly because they are undemanding when it comes to the given lighting conditions. They even thrive on a north-facing window.
Repot chrysanthemums
Perennial chrysanthemums have to be repotted from time to time, because they reproduce through runners and root through the pot quite quickly. For a compact growth is repotted and thinned out every two years. If you want to save yourself the additional fertilization, put the plant in new soil once a year after it has overwintered.
Care for chrysanthemums properly
Chrysanthemums are easy to care for and, depending on the variety, extremely robust. Only when watering do you need a little finesse with the waterlogging-sensitive plants.
How often do chrysanthemums need to be watered?
Chrysanthemums need a lot of liquid, especially when they are in bloom. Water during the growing season as soon as the soil has dried out on the surface. Daily watering is therefore essential on summer days. Watering is also done on rainy days, because the plants often grow very densely, which is why usually not enough water gets to the roots. The soil is kept evenly moist. Make sure that the plant never stands in water. Despite the high water requirement, waterlogging is very poorly tolerated and quickly leads to root rot. In addition, chrysanthemums are always watered from below so that the risk of fungal attack is not increased by wet leaves and flowers. In winter, during the dormant period, only water so that the soil does not dry out completely.
How often do chrysanthemums need to be fertilized?
In terms of nutrient supply, chrysanthemums are very frugal despite their autumn blooms. Annual pot chrysanthemums do not need to be fertilized at all. They are satisfied with what the fresh potting soil has to offer. In the case of perennial specimens, the soil is renewed after hibernation or, from April to September, fertilized with an organic liquid fertilizer such as our Plantura organic flower & balcony fertilizer or with compost from the second year. One of the advantages of using an organic fertilizer instead of a mineral one is that soil life is encouraged. A he althy microbiome is particularly important in the limited space of a potwelfare of your green companions. If you have perennial chrysanthemums in the bed, fertilize in the spring with compost or an organic fertilizer in granular form such as our long-term organic flower fertilizer.
When and how are chrysanthemums pruned?
Only perennial chrysanthemums need pruning. The shoots of the pot chrysanthemums are cut back about a finger long after flowering. In the bed, the plants are only shortened to a quarter after the winter and dried parts of the plant are completely removed. This gives the plant additional protection from the cold temperatures. In addition, faded inflorescences should be cleaned regularly. This ensures a longer lasting bloom. This also applies to annual varieties. In addition, an occasional trimming promotes a nice bushy and low growth.
Summary: caring for chrysanthemums properly
- Watering in the vegetation phase: when the substrate has dried out on the surface
- Watering in winter: the substrate should not dry out completely
- Fertilize potted chrysanthemums: Not in the first year, then from April to September with organic liquid fertilizer or compost
- Fertilize garden chrysanthemums: in spring with compost or organic fertilizer in granular form
- Pruning pot chrysanthemums: after flowering to finger length
- Pruning garden chrysanthemums: after hibernation to ¼; remove dried shoots
Are chrysanthemums perennial?
Chrysanthemums are perennials, but not all varieties are hardy. Especially chrysanthemums from supermarkets, discount stores, DIY and garden centers wither at temperatures below -5°C and therefore often end up on the compost after flowering. Even if the supply of hardy garden chrysanthemums there increases from year to year, it is worth going to a knowledgeable perennial nursery or breeder.
Successfully wintering chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums in the bed are covered with a protective layer of coniferous branches before the first frost. Leaves or straw should not be used with chrysanthemums, because too much moisture is stored here and the chrysanthemums begin to rot. Watering is only done on frost-free days. The ones after floweringcut back potted chrysanthemums are overwintered bright and cool, but frost-free. The temperature should be no more than 10 °C. An unheated greenhouse or conservatory is best. A spot in a bright basement, stairwell or in the gazebo is also sufficient. Alternatively, pot chrysanthemums can be overwintered outside in a large pot in areas with mild winters. For this purpose, the pot is wrapped in several layers of newspaper or bubble wrap, or the chrysanthemum is planted with the pot in the bed. In April, your chrysanthemums can then be taken outside or unpacked again.
Caring for chrysanthemums after winter
After the winter, when the temperatures become milder again, garden chrysanthemums are cut back. From March, all shoots are cut back to a quarter with clean, sharp pruning shears and withered parts of the plant are cut off just above the ground. The new shoots are not injured if possible. Potted chrysanthemums get new soil and sprout happily again. Alternatively, the fertilization is adjusted.
In addition to chrysanthemums, there are a few other types of flowers that brighten up autumn for us. Here you will find an overview of the most beautiful autumn flowers for the garden.