Chrysanthemums fans call their favorite the universal flower. And they aren’t far from right.
Whatever you ask of a flower—except fragrance—the chrysanthemum delivers. The forms of its flowers are endlessly varied.
Sizes Of Mums
The sizes of its plants are anywhere from short to majestic. The hardy ones grow well outdoors.
In the greenhouse, most types responding to manipulation of light and shade will bloom at any time of year.
Al Lippke’s drawings on these pages recreate seven important types. The National Chrysanthemum Society recognizes 15 different kinds.
You can raise anything from Moonstone, a ½” yellow button, to Yellow Pockett and William Turner.
Roughly the size of basketballs—assuming you know your chrysanthemum culture and can give them the right conditions.
Besides the great threads, spoons, and spiders, there are the following:
- Extra-novelties as Yellow Taggart with hairy spines on its quilled petals,
- Spiders with a swirl in the center
- Singles that look like dahlias or star magnolias
Bloom-Covered Plants
You can grow cascades and bloom-covered plants that sweep down like 8-foot waterfalls.
Mums are the easiest plants to grow. So if you are a lazy gardener, just set them out and leave them alone.
You will get passable flowers, but if you are a dyed-in-the-wool perfectionist, you can lavish all the care you want on them and find they repay you in exact proportion.
Gift Of Chrysanthemums
An added gift of chrysanthemums is that you can move them in full bloom.
You can plant them in rows, like cabbages and when they are in full color, work out any decorator scheme you like in your “for show” beds and borders.
The best way to learn all about chrysanthemums is to grow them. The best way to begin is by building a list from the catalogs. As soon as you do, you will become a fan.
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