You're probably most familiar with chrysanthemums as a traditional Mother's Day gift. However, this hardy flowering perennial can be a wonderful addition to any home garden. Available in many different sizes, shapes and colours, chrysanthemums can be found to complement any garden colour scheme or decor.
Due to their high level of cultivation and hybridization, it's a bit difficult to describe chrysanthemums. You can find chrysanthemums which resemble daisies or peonies, pom-poms or even buttons. Colours are widely varied as well, ranging from deep reds and pinks to pure white. They grow on a relatively compact bush, which can be kept compact by regular pruning. Thirty centimetres is the smallest adult plant, while the largest can grow as high as 1.5 metres.
Cultivating chrysanthemums is extremely easy. They're actually one of the best flowers for beginning gardeners. Plant in spring or winter, being careful to choose a spot in your garden which receives plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil. Chrysanthemums should be fed with liquid fertilizer approximately every five weeks, and watered thoroughly throughout their growing season. These versatile flowers also make wonderful container plants, allowing you to bring colour and life to areas without suitable ground soil.
Nothing says Mother's Day quite like a bright bouquet or pot of chrysanthemums. With all the choices available, you're sure to find something which suits your mums' taste perfectly. If you're giving a potted plant, be sure to encourage as many blooms as possible by fertilizing well and removing any dead flowers immediately. Tie a nice ribbon around the pot for that special decorative touch.
Glasshouse chrysanthemums are used in many of Flowers For Everyone's designs as the blooms provide a full floral background to larger premium blooms. They are reasonably long lasting but remember to use (or give) flower preservative so mum can enjoy the blooms as long as possible.