Crysanthemum Morifolium

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Chrysanthemum

Species

morifolium

Description

Ornamental herbaceous perennial with compact, bushy growth. It comes in a wide assortment of varieties with flowers in different shapes and colour shades. Its prolonged autumn blooms add an accent of colour and elegance to outdoor spaces such as terraces and balconies as well as in flower beds or borders.

Variety description

Perennial plant with late summer-autumn flowering, with daisy or double flowers of various sizes and colours. There is an infinite range of colours and shades. In Italy it is a plant mainly associated with saints' days.

Curiosities and special features

The term Chrysanthemum derives from the Greek chrysos meaning gold and anthemon meaning flower, while the specific epithet morifolium refers to the similarity of the leaves to those of the mulberry plant.

Origin and distribution

A hybrid obtained from different species, including Chrysanthemum indicum and Chrysanthemum zawadzkii, which originated in China and were first introduced to Japan and then towards the end of the 17th century to Europe. Today it is present with a wide assortment of varieties that differ mainly in the shape and colour shade of the inflorescences.

Flower size

Average flower compared to other varieties of the same species.

Leaf

The leaf has a bipinnate lamina.

Flowering period

The long flowering period lasts from late summer to early autumn for 60 to 90 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence umbel consisting of ray florets and disc florets.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, in perfect colour balance with the hues or shades of the flowers.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.7 m.

Lifespan

Deciduous perennial ornamental herbaceous.

Where to plant

The Chrysanthemum, due to its poise and elegant flowering, is suitable as a bedding plant , potted plant, planter, outdoor basin

Stem

Each of the stems is herbaceous; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with a gamopetalous corolla. The petals are bi-coloured, single-coloured and shaded. It is arranged in umbrella-like inflorescences of medium size. It flowers from late summer to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It is attractive to beetles and butterflies.

Growth

Medium-vigorous Growth plant.

Plant habit

The developed habit is erect and compact.

Branching

Theabundant branching allows for a dense foliage of leaves and flowers giving high ornamental value.

PH

It requires a slightly acidic soil or substrate pH between 5.8 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting into the bed, dig up the soil 20/30 cm deep, removing any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky pebbles, then break up the coarser clods with a hoe to make them softer. Finally, add approx. 5/10 cm of professional-quality substrate to the surface and carefully level out.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half-shade, full sun, sheltered from intense wind.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 22 °C. The biological temperature is between 12 and 30 °C.

Use

It is one of the most popular ornamental herbaceous plants in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Thehigh rusticity adds further value to the plant.

Soil

For use in flowerbeds, the soil must be light and well draining. For pots and planters, choose a new, high-quality substrate specifically for spring ornamental plants, based on peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Following proper enrichment in the new planting site, the cultivation of Chrysanthemum morifolium is extremely easy.

Growing tips

The following cultivation measures are recommended for better vegetative growth and lush flowering:

Expose the plant to maximum light Always keep the substrate moist

Propagation

Propagation is by apical cuttings.

Watering

Immediately after transplanting, water abundantly. Water regularly thereafter, keeping the substrate or soil moist but free from water saturation conditions with stagnation that can lead to root rot. Do not water in the evening hours and avoid over-watering, especially when the plant is flowering; watering above the foliage can compromise the life of the flower. During the winter period reduce watering.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

From mid-summer to early autumn, apply a liquid fertiliser for ornamental plants to the substrate or moist soil, diluted in the irrigation water according to balanced doses and frequencies.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Edibility for humans

Species ornamental, not edible.

Tip

Prevent the flower from getting frost or frost. If well watered and fertilised, the plant will flower for a long time and will change colour as the flower matures.