Chrysanthemum x morifolium

Chrysanthemums in the New International Encyclopedia of 1902
Chrysanthemum with Persicaria virginiana flowers

Chrysanthemum x morifolium

Chrysanthemums are starting to flower which indicates that the days are starting to shorten and winter is approaching. The light is starting to soften, shadows are getting longer and with so much rain recently the ground is soggy underfoot. Autumn is well and truly here.

The tawny shaded Chrysanthemums above are one of my favourite colours of this flower. Next favourite are the green "spider" variety and then the tiny button yellow ones. To see these flowers at their best you have to go to China or Japan where they have cult status and are quite remarkable . I like some of the Chinese cultivar names such as 'Heaven Full of Stars', 'Drunk with Wine made from Peaches of the Immortals' or 'White Crane sleeping in the Snow', which are mentioned in the chapter on Chrysanthemums in Peter Valder's book The Garden Plants of China (Florilegium books) They are very easy plants to grow and are not fussy as to soil or fertilizer requirements. Clumps can be divided up at any time of the year and cuttings strike fairly readily as well.
2017 update: I am not a nursery supplier of 'mums.