It seems that everywhere you look in October you see chrysanthemums blooming. Widely available and relatively inexpensive, they are almost indispensable for providing quick color to the fall landscape.
Whether you plant them into beds or feature them in containers, these cheerful plants covered in yellow, gold, bronze, purple, lavender, white, pink or burgundy flowers are a delight.
Chrysanthemums, also called mums, are hardy, long-lived perennials that bloom in the fall. Chrysanthemums are triggered to bloom only when the nights are long enough. During the summer, when days are long and nights are short, chrysanthemums in the garden grow vegetatively.
As the period of nighttime darkness increases in late summer and early fall, flower bud initiation occurs. This takes place here in August and September, with the flowers of chrysanthemums growing in gardens opening from October through December.
Blooming container-grown plants are available at nurseries as early as September. Plants generally stay in bloom for about two to three weeks.
Garden mums TLC
The most widely available chrysanthemums are garden mums. These mums are bred for growing in the garden. They are short, bushy, dome-shaped plants about 12 to 18 inches tall that cover themselves with clusters of 1½-inch flowers in virtually every color except blue.
When purchasing garden mums, select plants with mostly closed buds and healthy foliage. Plants already in full bloom will not be attractive as long. Avoid plants whose flowers have already begun to fade or those that have broken branches and yellow foliage.
Most gardeners leave them in pots and use mums as temporary color on porches and patios. They will do best in locations where they get sun for at least part of the day. And be sure to water them regularly, as allowing them to wilt shortens the attractive life of the plant. When the flowers fade, the plants are often discarded (they make a great addition to compost piles).
Out of the pot, into the ground
However, after the flowers fade, chrysanthemums may be planted in the garden and will bloom in the fall for many years if grown properly. Cut back to remove the faded flowers, remove from the container and plant chrysanthemums in well-prepared beds that receive at least six hours of sun. In late January or early February, cut them back to about three inches from the ground.
Mums require no special care during the year. Fertilize with a general-purpose fertilizer when you fertilize your other flowers. Water thoroughly during periods of drought and keep them well mulched to reduce competition from weeds. Pinch or prune vigorously growing shoots occasionally during the summer to encourage bushiness. Do not pinch or prune mums after mid-July.
Other colorful plants
A few other plants have become popular for providing color in the fall landscape. Crotons are used for their colorful foliage. The large leaves display a mixture of brilliant fall colors, like red, green, gold, magenta, orange and deep purple in beautiful patterns. The colors are more vivid when the plants are provided with abundant sun.
Crotons are not reliably cold hardy and can die in winter freezes. Keep them in their containers and move them inside during winter on nights when it will freeze. Repot as needed. Doing this, you can keep these plants going for years.
Ornamental peppers are also readily available at nurseries in the fall. This diverse group of plants is grown both for their attractive colorful fruit and foliage that may be green, variegated with white and lavender or a deep purple.
After a crop of fruit gets old and shriveled, remove it and plants will generally continue to bloom and set more fruit. Grow these like you would crotons. They may last two or three years but are not as long-lived as crotons.
Fall Garden Fest coming up in City Park
If you love to garden, don’t miss the Fall Garden Festival at the New Orleans Botanical Garden from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 4.
This year it is only one day, but the hours are extended. Admission is $15 for adults (resident), $25 for adults (non-resident) and $7 for children ages 3 to 12. Friends of City Park members get in free.
A wide selection of plants, tools, garden furniture, pots, accessories and artwork will be on sale at booths throughout the grounds. Plants will include natives, roses, bedding plants, bromeliads, pollinator plants, orchids, tropical foliage, herbs, perennials and many more.
Education is an important part of the festival, too. Talk to experts in the various booths and exhibits to learn about the plants they are selling, as well as Master Gardeners and specialists with the LSU AgCenter.
Gardening lectures will take place in the Garden Study Center.
For area gardeners and their families, the Fall Garden Festival is a wonderful opportunity to indulge in their favorite pastime and have enjoy a fun day of activities including arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, live music, as well as the beautiful Botanical Garden itself.