As the weather finally begins to cool down, now is a great time to plant perennials and shrubs.Unfortunately, since most sane people are tired of their gardens by this time of the year, garden centers stop carrying many of the plants that would benefit from being planted now. They stock up in the spring when we are anxious to get outside and play in the dirt.
In the Lowcountry with our hot and humid summers, plants need to go into the ground very early in the spring to stand a chance to survive our summers. Better yet is to plant in the autumn when they will have our cool winter to grow nice strong root structures without having to expend so much energy to survive. What to do? There are shrubs available locally as well as some perennials. You can, of course get fall chrysanthemums, asters, and plants that will winter over such as ornamental kale. I think the garden centers here are starting to carry more things for fall planting. Do not be afraid to use online sources for plants. It is important to check reviews to make certain that you are dealing with a reputable nursery.
I really do love mums (Chrysanthemum indica –the most common species). I think I associate them with fall and football games. When I was in high school, everyone wore a “Football Mum” to Homecoming tied with ribbons in the school colors. They are a flowering perennial that is sometimes referred to as a subshrub because they can get woody. There are over 20,000 different cultivars worldwide and 7,000 in China. The blossoms can be pompom shaped or buttons or even daisy like.
Chrysanthemums are native to Asia and northeastern Europe and were first cultivated in Japan between the 8th and 12th centuries. The name is taken from Greek and means “Golden Flower” since many of the blossoms are yellow. Chrysanthemums are so important in Japan that one appears on the Imperial Seal and the monarchy is referred to as the “Chrysanthemum Throne.”Many autumn festivals in Japan revolve around this flower and Chrysanthemum Day is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th month. The first Japanese book on this flower dates from 1717 and chrysanthemums are a common theme in Asian art. Chrysanthemums were first brought to America in 1798. Japanese immigrants to California started the commercial growing of mums in the 1880’s
The cultivated varieties are much more colorful and interesting than the natives and growers are still developing new varieties with new colors and longer lasting flowers. Chrysanthemums commonly bloom in autumn. They are what is known as a short daylight
grower – our shorter days trigger their blooming. I find that if I over winter mine, they will bloom at strange times – early spring, midsummer, and then perhaps again in the fall. I think our seasons and climate confuse them! Up north, they took the cold like champs and bloomed faithfully every September. I find it interesting that in Australia, they bloom in May and are a common Mother’s Day gift. Down Under, May is in their autumn.
You are probably aware of the unique and rather strong smell of chrysanthemums. Their flowers in the past were made into a tea that supposedly had anti-bacterial and anti-fungal benefits.Mums are also the source of a natural insecticide called Pyrethum. Luckily for us, they are deer resistant for the most part. Remember that a hungry deer will eat almost anything and they do not read the labels.
One of the best things about this perennial is its ability to last for a long time – both as a garden plant and as a cut flower. I buy mums during the fall to decorate my porch and place in my garden. Sometimes, I forget about my mums and they die from lack of water. Other times when I am on top of my game and are not too involved in the holidays, I will plant them out in the garden, cut them back, and they will return in the spring. They are difficult to kill.
As our days get shorter, consider putting a bright spot on your deck, porch, or patio and use chrysanthemums. They also are great to bring into your house as a potted plant or a cut flower.
