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Dendranthema x grandiflora Garden Mum, Garden Chrysanthemum

Edward F. Gilman

Introduction

Dendranthema x grandiflora is a spreading perennial that reaches a height of about 6 inches (Figure 1). However, it may attain a height of 7 to 24 inches when in flower. Beautiful flower spikes appear in the fall and spring seasons. These flowers come in colors of brown, red, white, yellow, pink, or red-orange. The flowers may be cut for flower arrangements, and the plant is commonly massed in the landscape.

Figure 1. Garden mum.
Figure 1.  Garden mum.

 

General Information

Scientific name: Dendranthema x grandiflora
Pronunciation: den-dran-THEEM-uh x gran-dif-FLOR-uh
Common name(s): garden mum, garden chrysanthemum, florists' chrysanthemum
Family: Compositae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 8 through 10A (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 7: Oct; Mar; Apr
Planting month for zone 8: Oct; Mar; Apr
Planting month for zone 9: not recommended
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: not recommended
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: mass planting; edging; attracts butterflies
Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Figure 2.  Shaded area represents potential planting range.

 

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: lobed
Leaf shape: ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: not applicable
Fall characteristic: not applicable

Flower

Flower color: pink; brown; red; white; yellow; red-orange
Flower characteristic: spring flowering; fall flowering

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit cover: unknown
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked or clumping stems
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: very sensitive to one or more pests or diseases which can affect plant health or aesthetics

Use and Management

Garden mums will prosper in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soils amended with organic matter. In sandy soils, a 3 to 4 inch layer of peat or compost should be worked into the top six inches of the soil. From late spring through mid-August, lightly prune stems without flower buds whenever they grow over six inches by snipping off the top 2 inches of growth. Prune off dead flower spikes.

Some varieties of garden mum produce tall flower spikes which must be staked. Chrysanthemum pacificum, a plant grown for its attractive, variegated foliage makes an interesting ground cover in full sun locations in central and north Florida.

Propagate Dendranthema x grandiflora by division or cuttings.

Pests and Diseases

The garden mum is relatively pest tolerant and has few pests of major concern. Leaf blight is probably the biggest concern.

Publication #FPS171

Date: 5/26/2015

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About this Publication

This document is FPS171, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 1999. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Gail Hansen de Chapman