Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
10-28-04
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Del Marks, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-9807,
delmarks@iastate.edu
Reiman's Pick for the week of October 25, 2004
Chrysanthemums Add Fall Color Inside and Out
By Linda Naeve
Reiman Gardens
Iowa State University
Just as poinsettias and Easter lilies represent their respective seasons, chrysanthemums announce the arrival of fall. Hardy garden chrysanthemums bloom naturally in late summer and early fall because they are photoperiodic, which means the short day length initiates flower bud formation.
Blooming, potted florists' chrysanthemums, not hardy in Iowa gardens, are available year-round, even during the spring and summer, because greenhouse growers shade the plants for 14 hours or more at night to block outside light sources, simulating short days.
Except for the color blue, chrysanthemums bloom in nearly every shade and are available in several different flower forms. The National Chrysanthemum Society identifies 13 different forms of chrysanthemum blooms. Decorative, daisy and pompon are the most common forms. However, cultivars of spoon-petal, quill and spider forms can be found in both hardy and florists' chrysanthemums.
Several different chrysanthemum forms, colors and heights are blooming beautifully in the "Mums Around the World" Conservatory display at Iowa State University's Reiman Gardens.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 444K. Caption: Announcing the arrival of fall, chrysanthemums bloom in nearly every shade and are available in several different flower forms |
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