For perhaps the 15th consecutive autumn let me TRUMPET THE MOST UNDERUSED PLANT IN HORTICULTURE HISTORY
OK, calm down Bob..Bob..
But I’m telling you, it is underused. These pictures were taken yesterday as the rest of our garden shades Autumnal to Outta Here. The Korean mum is truly hardy. Very easy to grow. It blooms well into October. It comes in a Kaleidoscope of Kolors. The late cruising bees need it.
IT has a funky American history including some New England plant breeder in the 1930s.
only bad news: Almost impossible to find in local nurseries, probably because they want to shut down and move on to Christmas trees before it blooms.
Thus, it is mostly available at insane mail order prices, like $19.95 for three-inch pots, or three for only $49.95. But free shipping, right?? There ought to be a law.
But it spreads nicely to almost shrub size. HAVE I mentioned easily divided making it very useful in other full sun garden areas, even as gifts. And you’ll spend that much or way more for those GAUDY NON-HARDY MUMS spread by the millions across the front of box stores and grocery aisles that end up as garbage or compost.
Therefore… YOU gardeners of all ages…
“Bob, Bob, enough already. Get off the Korean Mum soap box. Be careful…don’t fall….Bob…Bob…”
I grow lots and lots of different ones. I AGREE, they are amazing. I just got in from a walk around to see how the latest blooming ones are progressing. Still in bud is Emperor of China, color starting to show. I selected a deep red daisy from a flat of Korean mum seedlings. And a orangey one too. Keeping Mei Kyo and Bronze Elegans going and a coworker has tons of Venus. Will’s Wonderful isn’t even showing color yet. And I have a super late semi-double bright pink daisy I found in the 80’s. CT was the hub for these with Bristol Nurseries. You are so right, they are the best show in town.
I’m sold! Where is the best source to buy them?
Indeed, your rant is spot on here!! It’s a marvelous late bloomer. I always fear it might not bloom until too late here in my zone 6b garden, but it never lets me down, it sneaks in just under the wire. Pollinators galore! My two varieties, currently blooming furiously, are Sheffield Pink and Cambodian Queen. I got them via mail order maybe 15 years ago when I thought $3.95 for a 3″ pot was outrageous! I find a hard chop back before July to be essential and even still I deal with flopping due to October rains. And its very easy to root cuttings from the chopped back pieces so you can share with friends. A real winner, just as you say!
So that’s the wonderful mum I saw blooming on my walk. In my old turn of the last century garden books mums were the rage. So many kinds!
You convinced me — I really don’t like the look of those unhappy, tight mounds of mums that are sold everywhere. I will look for these Korean mums – thanks for the recommendation!
Select Seeds offers several varieties at a fair price.
It is a fantastic plant. Always covered in bees, and yesterday there was a hummingbird hawk moth on mine. The colors are more pastel than traditional “fall colors” including some that are pale pink, although mine are somewhat peach. Very hardy, absolutely covered in flowers, requiring only sunlight.
The Best Fall Plant! Sheffield Pink is electric right now, and Venus is a sight for garden-weary eyes. I need some of the bronze-y ones. Off to find ’em!
Why didn’t I know these perennial mums are called Korean Mums? I just bought 2 Sheffield Pink ones that must be planted ASAP! The Sheffield Pink ones I bought in the past must have died and set seed, b/c now it’s more of a pumpkin orange color. Very pretty. I adore these perennial mums and really can’t take the annual ones that are so ubiquitous.
Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, KY, has some perennial mums- I have had ‘Sheffield Pink’ for years, and just got a new one, ‘Springhouse Red’. https://shopyewdell.com/ They don’t do mail order..(yet..), but you can order online and make an appointment to pick them up, if you are in driving distance.