Just when you think its all over

Multiflora pot chrysanthemums give the illusion of mid Summer in the month of November.

Performance of Multiflora pot chrysanthemums (Patio mums) in our Scottish East coast garden.

At the moment I am writing this post on the 8th of November and these patio mums are in full bloom and may last another two or even three weeks.

This is the second season for the Meridian yellow which came through the Winter placed in the courtyard area against the house wall. This is a very sheltered area.

The Moviestar series which were purchased this year from Thomson and Morgan are doing equaly well and I am confident they will also come through the Winter.

However, I may well decide to try the German Brandkamp series from QVC these have a larger range of colours and are described as being fully hardy and become available April/May. These Patio mums are relatively inexpensive.

We have 12 tubs of these patio mums placed between the permanent planting in the front garden, they really are sensational for adding colour to the November garden. I bunched a few of them together in the patio area simply because it was the best way show them off.

Pictures in the patio area were taken on the fifth of November and those showing individual plants were taken on the last day of October.

 

Plant profile for Multiflora pot chrysanthemums

Hardiness

Frost hardy. (See tips below for over wintering)

Height

The Moviestar series in our garden has produced perfectly shaped domes with a height of about 40cm. Meridian yellow has been a little taller in its second season, reaching 50 cm, both smothering the 40 cm square plant pots.

Moviestar Blanchett Yellow

Flowers and habit

Multiflora patio chrysanthemums come in a large range of colours. The blooms smother the twiggy stems in Autumn.

Do your homework and check out why growers say they have developed the best ones. Some claim longer flowering period and hardier plants. It is possible that further south in the country, flowering does start in September, here it is late October through till November. However, will the Brandkamp series bloom earlier, only one way to find out.

Starting them off in Spring

Your young plants will arrive in May or early June. Your first thoughts will likely be, these are not going to flower this year.

Have faith, get them into 9cm pot right away and place them in a sunny position outdoors, don’t let them dry out.

In four weeks time, taking you into early July, transplant them into much larger pots with a diameter of at least 40cm and pinch out the top of the young plants. For potting up I use a good quality garden compost with about 20% John Iness No.3 added. You could plant them directly in the garden border if you wish.

After having potted up for the second time start giving a liquid feed high in potash every second week.

It is important that you place your plants in a sunny position. They will grow at a surprising rate and after a further three weeks or so before buds start to develop trim back the plants again. This will tighten them up, and they will form perfect domes. Enjoy your Autumn display.

Moviestar Blanchett Pink

Prepare your plants for the Winter

Once your plants have finished blooming it’s time to find a good sheltered spot preferably against the house wall for over wintering.

Leave all the dead flowers to drop off and you will be left with bare twiggy stems. Do not cut these stems back as they will give some protection in the Winter months.

Moviestar Blanchett Red

When Spring comes around you will see fresh green leaves on the woody stems. Cut these stems right back to just above the lowest leaves. Remove the top layer of compost and top up with a fresh lot. You are now set for the new season.