Introducing...
Chrysanthemum
Common name: Mums, chrysanths
These traditional favourites bring a welcome boost of colour in late summer and autumn. Their flowers, in a wide choice of shapes, sizes and hues, reinvigorate borders and containers as temperatures start to fall.
Looks
The flowers have many different forms, from open daisies to multi-petalled pompoms, large and small. They come in lots of colours and shades, from pink, purple and red, to orange, yellow and white.
Likes
Chrysanthemums enjoy a warm, sunny, sheltered spot, with fertile, well-drained soil. Water and feed regularly, and protect them from frost.
Dislikes
Most won’t survive heavy frosts or waterlogged soil. They don’t perform well in dry conditions, poor soil or shade.
Did you know?
Chrysanthemums work well with other autumn-flowering border plants, such as salvias, sedums and asters, as well as ornamental grasses.
Growing guide
How to grow chrysanthemums
All the information you’ll need to grow and care for chrysanthemums in your garden.
Chrysanthemums we recommend
Chrysanthemum 'Max Riley' (23b)
chrysanthemum 'Max Riley'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chrysanthemum 'Myss Saffron' (29c)
chrysanthemum 'Myss Saffron'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chrysanthemum 'Cream Talbot Parade' (29c)
chrysanthemum 'Cream Talbot Parade'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chrysanthemum 'Max Riley' (23b)
chrysanthemum 'Max Riley'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chrysanthemum 'Myss Saffron' (29c)
chrysanthemum 'Myss Saffron'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chrysanthemum 'Cream Talbot Parade' (29c)
chrysanthemum 'Cream Talbot Parade'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Useful advice
Cut flowers: cutting and conditioning
Perennial borders: choosing plants
Perennials: dividing
Perennials: staking
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.