What is a chrysanthemum plant?
Chrysanthemums are members of the family Asteraceae, or Aster. The botanist who developed plant classifications, Linnaeus, first used the name Chrysanthemum.
What is the difference between an Aster and a mum flower?
The blooms are the classifying feature and rely upon the number of ray florets per flower and the size to delineate to which class they belong. More than 175 species grow in the United States and the Aster is not as heavily hybridized as the Mum. Aster plants are in the genus Symphyotrichum while Mums are back again in their genus Chrysanthemum.
What does an aster plant look like?
Plants in the genus Aster have petals that look like the rays of the sun fanning out from a yellow center. Because they belong to the order Asterales, asters are also related to daisies, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and echinacea plants. There are an estimated 180 species of aster with many more hundreds of hybrids and cultivars.
Are chrysanthemums in season in autumn?
Fall is the time when garden lovers are desperately trying to preserve the summer and cling to its sunny, cheery blooms. Mums and Asters begin to appear in late summer for Autumn displays that can dispel the gloom of mourning summer's passing. Chrysanthemums are members of the family Asteraceae, or Aster.
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What are asters called now?
There will now be four main groups of 'Aster' that we grow; Aster, Eurybia, Symphyotrichum and 'other' (to include Galatella and Doellingeria). Those species that remain as Aster include the popular Aster amellus and it's hybrid Aster x frikartii, as well as other less well known species.
Are chrysanthemums the same as mums?
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a staple in fall gardens. Mums are a national symbol of fall abundance, and this herbaceous and hardy perennial is an easy addition to give a gorgeous pop of color in your fall garden landscape.
Do asters look like mums?
The flower is similar to the Mum and it comes in a variety of colors like purple, blue, pink, white, and red. There are lots of cultivars, so whether you want a short one that only grows a foot tall or a large one that is 6 feet tall, there's an Aster for you!
What kind of plants are chrysanthemums?
Chrysanthemums aka garden mums are hardy perennials which bloom late in the growing season. That said, many garden centers today treat mums as annuals, perhaps because of their decorative fall color and because they grow so well in pots.
What is the difference between an aster and a Chrysanthemum?
Chrysanthemums, or mums, include over 200 species of the aster family. So all mums are asters, but not all asters are mums. The garden mums that are so popular today were derived from species and hybrids originating and first developed in the Far East.
Should you deadhead asters?
Deadhead to Promote Blooming The removal of spent stems keeps flora looking fresh, prevents the setting of seed and self-sowing, and stimulates the urge to rebloom.
How long will asters last?
Asters need full sun, which is at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. With too much shade, they get leggy and floppy. Asters usually bloom for weeks from early to late fall.
What flower is similar to mums?
Dahlias (Dahlia species, hybris, and selections). Its blooms come in many of the same colors and flower shapes as mums -pompons, daisies, anemone-centered, and balls, even some that produce single or double flowers as wide as dinner plates.
How long do asters last in the fall?
New England aster tends to be 3 to 4 feet tall, though shorter and taller cultivars are available. Its stems are thick with hairy leaves. New England aster usually has full, dense flowers, blooming in late summer or early fall and lasting for several weeks.
What plants are in the chrysanthemum family?
Daisy familyChrysanthemum / FamilyThe family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae were first described in the year 1740. Wikipedia
What is the common name of chrysanthemum?
mumsChrysanthemums (/krɪˈsænθəməm/), sometimes called mums or chrysanths, are flowering plants of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. They are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe.
What is example of chrysanthemum?
Chrysanth... ×grandiflor...Chrysanth... indicumHardy chrysanthe...Chrysanth... japonenseDendranth... lavandulifo...Chrysanth... pacificumChrysanthemum/Lower classifications
What is the difference between a mum and an aster?
Mums tend to have a more “manicured” look, while asters have a wild appearance. Mums provide the color tones of autumn, which work nicely with harvest displays and plantings. Asters are a huge boost for late-season nectar feeders that have yet to migrate, or may be passing through.
What are mums and asters?
Mums and asters are synonymous with fall flower gardens. Late summer rolls around, and these show stoppers begin to trickle into garden centers. By the first day of fall there are enough options available to wash gardens and landscapes in a flood of rainbow colors until winter comes to end the party. Contrary to the now-popular habit of enjoying the blooms then dumping the plants when they die down with cold weather; many are hardy varieties that can have a permanent home in your landscape to enjoy year after year!
What colors do mums bloom in?
Mums bloom in lavender, pink, white, red, orange, bronze or yellow tones. yellow mum.
Why do garden mums bloom in fall?
The garden mums that are so popular today were derived from species and hybrids originating and first developed in the Far East. Their bloom cycles are triggered by the shortening length of daylight hours, that is why they naturally bloom in fall.
How much sunlight do asters need?
Asters perform best in six or more hours of sunlight. They should be planted in moist, well-drained soil of average fertility.
Do mums and asters make a nice contrast?
There are several ways to employ the benefits of mums and asters. They can be used in conjunction with one another , as the mums tend toward warmer colors and asters toward cooler colors, they make a nice contrast (consult your color wheel). Another contrast is in their growth habits.
When to cut garden asters?
When flowering ceases, cut the plant to the ground for winter. Most garden asters are derived from North American native perennials. Broadly speaking, they are hardy in zones 4-9, although individual varieties may be more restricted.
What zone do mums grow in?
The bloom forms include cushion, spider, quill, spoon and pompom. Asters typically are perennials and survive to United States Department of Agriculture zone 4 while Chrysanthemums are hardy to zone 5. Mums come in a shocking array of colors from tones of orange, to red, white, pink, salmon, purple and yellow.
Why was Chrysanthemum changed to Dendranthema?
In 1961 the name was changed to Dendranthema to avoid confusion with other plant species labeled as Chrystanthemum. However, Mums were such a classic and popular flower that the name change created confusion and it was changed back in the mid-1990s. The Ateraceae family was once called Compositae and comprises many of our potted and garden ornamental plants. Included among these are the Mums as well as Zinnias, Dahlias and Marigolds to name but a few. All this name changing can be perplexing, but the main thing to remember is they are all in the Aster family which are generally daisy-like flowering herbaceous plants.
What is the Ateraceae family?
The Ateraceae family was once called Compositae and comprises many of our potted and garden ornamental plants. Included among these are the Mums as well as Zinnias, Dahlias and Marigolds to name but a few.
How are greenhouses classified?
Cultivars are classified in four ways: flower form, culture type, height of the plant and photoperiod response. A sophisticated system for classing the blooms has six levels beginning with "singles" and moving on to other forms.
When do mums and asters bloom?
Mums and Asters begin to appear in late summer for Autumn displays that can dispel the gloom of mourning summer's passing. Chrysanthemums are members of the family Asteraceae, or Aster.
What family is a daisy plant?
All this name changing can be perplexing, but the main thing to remember is they are all in the Aster family which are generally daisy-like flowering herbaceous plants. All blooming plants in the Asteraceae family need long days to form foliage and shorter days to promote flowering.
Where did chrysanthemums originate?
Chrysanthemums were cultivated in China as early as the 15th century and in Japan since the 8th century. The plant is the national flower of Japan and entire parades and festivals center around this lovely flower. The plant's cultivation moved to Europe in the 1800's and to the United States around the end of that century. Over 500 crosses were developed at this time by Elmer D. Smith who named most of these. By 1940 or so the plant really took off as a commercial specimen. Greenhouse and field growers specialized in different bloom classes and hybridization. Cultivars are classified in four ways: flower form, culture type, height of the plant and photoperiod response. A sophisticated system for classing the blooms has six levels beginning with "singles" and moving on to other forms. The final category is the "large flowered" which represent a class of 4-inch flowers. The culture type has three sections. Those that are "standards" grow from a single stem to a single flower head and are used for cut flowers. The "disbuds" have been pinched and had the lateral flowers removed to form large flower clusters usually for potted specimens. Finally the "spray" segment are grown on multiple stems with only the terminal bud removed.
Propagation
There are several ways to propagate asters, each producing relatively reliable results. For those who want full control of the growing process, start by growing from seed. Existing plants with plenty of growth can be divided after a few years.
Varieties
There are a very wide variety of asters to choose from when planting some in your garden.
Plant Uses
Asters make a great ground cover, as well as companion plants to attract pollinators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aster flowers across the varieties have little to no scent. Some plants in the aster family have leaves that release a slight scent when crushed, but it is not a major feature of these plants. Even the confusingly named Aromatic Aster ( Symphyotrichum oblongifolium) has no scent.
Final Thoughts
These versatile, low-maintenance plants will not disappoint in your garden. Whether grown from seed or propagated by division or cuttings, you will be rewarded with carpets of blooms in whatever color you choose.
How tall do grunder asters grow?
These asters are usually one of the first to bloom from the aster family and continue flowering into late fall. Expect them to grow to a height of between 8” and 20” (20 – 50 cm).
How many petals does a Nanus aster have?
‘Nanus’ asters belong to the genus Galatella in the aster family. Unlike most other asters in the family Asteraceae, these asters have just 5 to 10 petals. This gives the flowers a distinct star shape and clusters of them look very attractive when they bloom in the fall. The ‘Nanus’ asters are identified by their elongated lilac petals and bright yellow centers.
What is the color of the rose Sieger aster?
The ‘Rosa Sieger’ aster flower has delicate pink petals and bright yellow center. The ‘Rosa Sieger’ is a New England aster cultivar that produces a multitude of light rose-pink flowers with yellow centers. The compact flowers with their bright fall colors look delightful in any garden in September and October.
What is the name of the New York aster?
New York asters ( Symphyotrichum novi-belgii or Aster novi-belgii) are commonly called Michaelmas daisies. There are thousands of cultivars in this genus that flower in late summer and fall and have purple, pink, and white flowers. New York a sters also tend to be much showier than the simple flowers in the genera of New England asters.
What color are asters in fall?
Asters are a type of beautiful perennial flower that can fill your garden with beautiful shades of purple and pink colors in fall. Planting different kinds of asters in your garden will brighten up your garden when other plants have stopped blooming. The most common aster flower color is purple or lilac. However, many beautiful asters come in ...
What is a kickin pink chiffon?
‘KICKIN Pink Chiffon’ is a New England aster cultivar that produces a mass of light pink, almost white, aster flowers. Each flower-head consists of semi-double flowers in the classic daisy look.
How many species of asters are there?
There are an estimated 180 species of aster with many more hundreds of hybrids and cultivars.
What is the name of the New York aster?
And New York asters are now formally known as Symphyotrichum novi-belgii. Finally, a number of species still belong to the original Aster genus, including hybrid crosses and their named cultivars. A. amellus and A. thomsonii are two frequent parents used in the hybrid cultivars commonly sold in the nursery trade.
What are asters in gardening?
Most gardeners do not need to worry too much about the taxonomical details, as all these plants are sold as asters and all have the familiar daisy-like flowers and perform the same way in the garden. The original species were wildflowers found in North America and Eurasia, but modern garden varieties are usually hybrids bred to produce new colors and tidier plants. Some of the more popular cultivars include: 1 ' Celeste': These dark blue flowers bloom early and feature bright yellow centers. 2 'Hazy': Another early bloomer, the "hazy" aster boasts raspberry-pink flowers with yellow centers. 3 'Puff': The puff aster is hardier than many other white cultivars and will bloom among the earliest.
What diseases can affect asters?
Common Pests/ Diseases. Rust and powdery mildew disease can affect aster foliage. Follow proper plant spacing recommendations to improve air circulation, and avoid splashing watering to prevent these problems. Most insect pests leave asters alone, but lace bugs can be a bother.
How long does it take for an aster to grow?
While you can grow aster flowers from seeds planted in the springtime, it may take several years for them to mature into full-sized plants. More often, asters are planted from potted nursery specimens. They do best in loamy, well-draining soil, and desire a good amount of space around the plants to allow space for their roots to expand.
How to grow aster roots?
Aster roots are tough, so you will need to use a sharp spade to cut the clumps into pieces . Water thoroughly immediately after replanting, and feed the divisions with bone meal to provide phosphorus for immediate root growth .
What genus are New England asters?
At one time, all the species were considered part of the Aster genus, but several species have now been reassigned to the Symphyotrichum genus . The flowers known as New England asters, for example, now belong to Symphyotrichum and are known as S. novae-angliae.
What pH do asters like?
Asters appreciate loamy soil that's slightly acidic, with a pH ranging from 5.8 to 6.5. If your soil is alkaline, you can correct it by adding organic matter such as well-rotted manure, leaf mold, or compost.
What is the difference between a florist mum and a garden mum?
The garden mum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium, synonymous with Dendranthema grandiflora), also called “hardy mum,” grows in zones 4 to 9, depending on the cultivar. The florist mum, on the other hand, is a more tender plant grown as an annual, sometimes referred to as Chrysanthemum hortorum, but also sometimes also classified under ...
What is a garden mum?
The garden mum, also called the “hardy mum,” is a perennial just like the florist mum, but its cultivars do produce stolons, those important underground stems. These generally thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, although some varieties are less cold-hardy and can be killed by an early spring frost.
When were mums first cultivated?
Mums have been cultivated for centuries, appearing in Chinese writings as early as the 15th century, B. C., according to the National Chrysanthemum Society. This long-standing love affair is reflected in the many beliefs developed about mums over the years: The Chinese thought the plant had immense power, in fact, “the power of life.”.
Can florist mums be planted in pots?
If you have purchased florist mums and don’t plan to grow them as annuals, they are perfect for container planting. Pop them in a pot with almost any soil, and be sure to water them. Because they will be so short-lived, they need no fertilizer or any special care, and they will put on their stunning display for two or more weeks.
Is a mum the same as a chrysanthemum?
Because a mum and a chrysanthemum are the same thing — when you say “mum,” I say “chrysanthemum,” and, like the famous jazz melody about po-tah-to or po-tay-to, it’s the same thing. But those mums you find in nurseries and florist shops in the fall are quite different from those you might grow in your garden as perennials ...
What is the death flower?
In Italy, Belgium and Austria, it's customary to place these flowers as memorials on graves.
Can you plant garden mums in a pot?
If you are growing garden mums instead, container planting is still possible, but the plants will face the same growing hurdles as any container-grown plant. The pot will dry out more quickly, the fertilizer will leach out faster, and the plant will become root bound eventually. Just be sure to water frequently during the hot summer months, fertilize with a balanced, liquid fertilizer, and monitor the plant’s growth each year. Repot when the roots begin to appear outside the pot’s drainage holes.
