Fall Display

The days may be getting shorter and cooler, but the gardening season is far from over. As weather cools, remove spent summer annuals and replace with fall blooming plants like chrysanthemums to serve as a grand finale to the growing season. When most annuals and perennials are winding down for the season, chrysanthemums reach their peak and offer gardeners a wide range of colors and flower forms.

Chrysanthemums became the national flower of Japan in 910 and have been popular in the United States only during the past 60 to 75 years. Garden chrysanthemums can be planted in spring or fall with spring plantings more likely to survive the winter. Choose an area that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. Prior to planting, work the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches and incorporate 2 to 4 inches of organic matter or compost. Mulching is the best insurance for over-wintering since it helps keep the soil uniformly cold after it has become frozen, thus eliminating the alternate freezing-thawing cycle and the resulting soil heaving. Since chrysanthemums have a shallow root system, they are particularly affected by severe cold, repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, wet heavy soil, and lack of snow cover. Avoid planting in areas subject to cold, dry north winds. Also, avoid pruning plants back in fall in light of current research showing that garden mums survive winter better if the old foliage is left standing through winter. Finally, remember to keep them well watered throughout the season.

Today's photos are of WPC Community Conservation Seasonal Landscaper, Angela Masters, planting chrysanthemums at the WPC Pittsburgh office.

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