Chrysanthemum Bouquets

We Love Chrysanthemum
If you haven’t already noticed we absolutely love Chrysanthemums, or should we say the “mum” flowers! These beauties are exceptionally beautiful and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as in an abundance of colours. Chrysanthemums are often thought of as too difficult to plant here in Australia, however we are here to tell you that there is less care involved in caring for this plant than you think!
Planting Chrysanthemum Flowers
The first tip to keep in mind when planting Chrysanthemums is choosing the best season to plant these blooms! We would recommend planting these blooms in early to mid spring, as this season gives the perennial plant time to establish and adapt to its new home.
Make sure you choose a sunny spot as Chrysanthemums love sunshine! The more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness, however if you can try to grow them in a position where they will get morning sun and afternoon shade, that will provide protection from the hot sun in summer. When planting them next to one another, spacing them out with enough space is essential for their health, as mums will reach up to 3 feet in height and width and overcrowded plants are most likely to suffer from disease, attract pests and compete for nutrients. So, following the plant spacing directions is key if you want your Chrysanthemums to live their healthiest and longest plant life!
Chrysanthemum Flower Care
The question we always hear about Chrysanthemums is “how often should mums be watered?” and what we tell you is consistent watering throughout spring, summer and autumn! These blooms require moisture for the best growth so that is why we have really emphasized the importance of watering. Early morning watering, to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, directly to the base of the plants is the ideal time for watering and honestly if this is added into your morning routine, it can be such a therapeutic way to start your day with a cup of coffee or tea in hand. Of course, we are not all morning people so don’t worry if you’d prefer to water your plants in the early evening once the afternoon sun has gone down. One mistake we often see is when people water plants during lunchtime, or in the peak of the hot sun and that is when your plants are more likely to burn.
Pruning and Fertilizer! Two essential steps in growing your Mums to the best potential. When we say pruning, we don’t mean the typical pruning but instead you “pinch” them which helps the plant become fuller and offer more blooms. When your chrysanthemums reach 6 inches tall in spring, pinch off 1 inch of each shoot and repeat every 2 to 3 weeks until the start of summer.
Fertilizing Chrysanthemums
Now it’s time for Fertilizer! As you know, all plants require nutrients but fertilizing mums specifically gives them an extra boost of nutrients to grow to their best ability. Chrysanthemums require frequent application of quality fertilizers as it will help your plant grow bigger and more blooms – which is always a bonus! The best fertilizers to use are a fertilizer with a formulation of 6-2-4 or 4-2-3 and choose a water-soluble fertilizer for monthly use from early spring through to autumn.
Best of luck with growing your Mums! We have high hopes you will have a gorgeous garden of Chrysanthemums by late summer!