Column: Morden mums most suited to prairie environment

This is the second article in the series on my choice of some of the best perennials to plant in your garden. I have received my order of perennials that are showing colour for a long season of bloom, are well-behaved in the garden and are extremely attractive to butterflies and bees. Luckily for you, I also bought a few extra to share with other gardeners.

A selection of chrysanthemums (mums) is one of the best perennials to provide lots of great colour late in the season. However, there is a great difference between the type of chrysanthemum that will bloom in areas that have short seasons as mums are a type of flower that is triggered by the daylength. It is actually the night length that is important but for some silly reason when plants need a certain number of dark hours to trigger the bloom we call it “daylength.” The confusing world of horticulture and gardening continues.

At any rate, mums are a perennial that blooms late in the season when our nights are getting much longer than the day. Unfortunately, when you live in an area whose growing season is short and it is also a cooler climate, those short days (long nights) are often after we get a killing frost and daytime temperatures are not very hospitable either to growing outdoors. Thus, the Morden series of mums began and these mums use not only the length of night but also the temperature to trigger the bloom. So in order to get mums to bloom prior to the temperature becoming too cold outside, it is necessary to grow “Morden mums”.

I chose a selection of mums that will successfully give us colour in September most years when most of the other perennials are long past blooming. Unless otherwise stated, they are all about 18 inches (45cm) in height and will spread to about 30 inches (75cm). Read on for what is available and be sure to jump on this opportunity as Morden mums are not always readily available. These mums have an upright spreading habit of growth with a very fine texture. This is truly a low-maintenance herbaceous perennial.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Jefbiz, which is also known as the Showbiz mum was developed with a cross between Morden Fiesta and Morden Canary and has an abundance of lovely light purple pompom like flowers.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Jefdream or Dreamweaver mum is a bit larger mum with a height of 30 inches (75cm) and spreads 48 inches (120cm). It has lovely soft mauve-coloured flowers with flared trumpet-shaped petals on the margins and an attractive yellow centre.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Jefdust or Stardust Mum produces an abundance of dusty rose flowers with fluted petals.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Jefstorm or Firestorm Mum is about 22 inches (55cm) in height and spreads 40 inches (100 cm) with outstands deep red petals with and attractive yellow centre.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Jefsurge or Power Surge Mum has fully double red flowers.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Jeftail is about 30 inches high (75cm) and spreads about 48 inches (120 cm) and has outstanding peachy-orange flower buds that open to double blossoms of tangerine that fade to light yellow.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Morden Fiesta has stunning purple flowers with a yellow centre.

Chrysanthemum x morifolium Prairie Lavender has soft pink to lavender blooms.

Plants are in 3.5 to 4 inch pots and the cost per plant is $10. There are limited numbers so place your order now to [email protected] . Once you receive a confirmation along with a bill, you will need to promptly e-transfer the total amount due in order to guarantee your order is filled. Pick up in Saskatoon. If there are any leftovers, they will be available for sale at a future date. Keep up with all of the plants available on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/orchidhort

Also available are speedwell, bee balm, gaillardia and a selection of hardy sedums … more on these great perennials next week.

Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www.orchidhort.com; by email at [email protected]; on facebook @orchidhort and on instagram at #orchidhort.

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