Mums

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

Introduction

The name "chrysanthemum" is derived from the Ancient Greek: χρυσός chrysos (gold) and ἄνθεμον anthemon (flower).

Several types of mums exist with over 40 species and endless number of cultivars ! By 2014, it was estimated that there were over 20,000 cultivars in the world and about 7,000 cultivars in China alone.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium hybrid

 

Known as The Exhibition Mum

An herbaceous non hardy perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae) that resulted from a complex hybridizint from five Chinese species: C. argyrophyllum, C. dichrum, C. indicum, C. nankingense and C. zawadzkii.

There are now hundreds of cultivars with various colors and characteristics. Modern cultivated chrysanthemums are usually brighter and more striking than their wild relatives.

In the South, these plants easily overwinter outdoors. In colder climates, they may need to be dug up and overwintered in greenhouses, or treated as an annual.

 

Chrysanthemum x rubellum

 

Old fashioned Hardy Garden Mum

These are easy-to-grow perennials that maintain their space in the landscape returning year after year even in colder climates. They grow into rounded open mounds about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.

Garden mums are classified into 13 groups based on the petals shape, curvature and size.

If you want one in your garden

call us - (718) 392 9404


PLANT SPECIALISTS

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 53 YEARS !







Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

Next

Red Aglaonema