Chrysanthemum fall sales

Image from chezbeate

Just a quick note about chrysanthemums... In the same way that you can plant faded bulbs that you bought in bloom, chrysanthemums move easily into the garden once you have enjoyed them in pots.

Check at the soil line. Some of the large pots have several plants in them. Although you can plant them as is, it would be better in the long term if you separate them and plant them individually. Cut off the flowers and a bit of the leafy stem, tease the roots apart (it sometimes takes a bit of muscle), and plant them as deep as the existing soil line. Remember to keep them watered if the winter is dry because they won’t have much time to regrow their roots.

Several of those I have planted over the last couple of years maintained their half-a-basketball rounded shape. Others reverted to the more traditional upright growth pattern. There is an amazing amount of variation in the greenhouse grown chrysanthemums, but it is mostly in their growth patterns. I haven’t seen many color changes from the traditional chrysanthemums that my mom used to grow. For comparison, think of the color varieties you find in petunias. Whatever determines chrysanthemum color is not as easy for plant breeders to tinker with.