CHRYSANTHEMUMS AND THEIR CHARMING COMPANIONS
“I belong to the chrysanthemum hour of bright flowers placed in tall vases. I should make an ornament of my soul.” –Fernando Pessoa
We all know that fall is synonymous with chrysanthemums. They are practically everywhere: in flower pots on stoops, arranged in vases, wrapped in brown paper at the farmer’s market, and a best seller at your local florist. This is because they are the official flower of November and are ubiquitous in high autumn. They are sturdy, diverse, and have a long vase life (they can last up to two weeks when cut). Chrysanthemums are also symbolic of all sorts of sentiment depending on who you ask. Make the most of chrysanthemums by discovering which flowers pair best and how to properly mix them.
“The chrysanthemums’ astringent fragrance comes each year to disguise the clanking mechanism of machine within machine within machine.” –Wallace Stevens
In the U.S., chrysanthemums are much cheerier and carefree than, say, in Europe or even Japan. In the East, they are mostly associated with deeper but still positive emotions such as rebirth and a coming to terms (think of the famous book, “The Chrysanthemum and the Sword”), while, in Europe, they symbolize mourning and are frequently used in funeral arrangements. D.H. Lawrence wrote about this in his short story, “The Odor of Chrysanthemums.” While chrysanthemums have an unmistakable smell, some find it quite agreeable. They do, after all, repel pests such as mosquitoes, and that’s always favourable. Chrysanthemums are also used in holistic medicine and are commonly steeped in tea.
Different types of chrysanthemums and colours also evoke different emotions. Button mums are cute and work almost effortlessly as a filler flower for any bouquet, while spider mums are more ostentatious and flamboyant. Football mums literally look like giant footballs: they are large, showy, and have a pungent scent. When we think of Japanese chrysanthemums, we think of the spider mum embroidered on kimonos and its petals almost resembling tendrils. Of course, yellow, burgundy, and russet are all appropriate colours for fall and pair well with any sort of festive tableau complete with pumpkins and gourds.
Flowers to Plant with Chrysanthemums
Some of the most reliable companion plants for chrysanthemums in a garden include charming favorites such as chives, Echinacea, asters and goldenrod. It’s advisable not to plant chrysanthemums with rows of other chrysanthemums because they actually rust. Yarrow, or “cow weed,” is a wonderful companion to chrysanthemums because they attract ladybugs that kill aphids, and these commonly attack and destroy mums, especially the green foliage. Colorful additions such as blue asters and vibrant yellow goldenrods really add a touch of flair to any gardening plot. Marigolds, autumn sage, sedum, and dill are more rustic favourites to add to your planted chrysanthemums. Not only are these wonderfully effective pollinators, but they grow together in harmony, warding off pests that feed on chrysanthemums, and, of course, marigolds and sage are popular fall favourites.
Posies to Pair in Bouquets
Get creative and make your chrysanthemum bouquets as whimsical as possible. Add height and dimension to mums with clumps of spray roses, sunflowers, stalks of lilies, and peonies. Peonies are so ornate that they make any arrangement stand out from the rest and add a touch of elegance to chrysanthemums. Pair chrysanthemum japonese with daisies: they are both so similar that a colour contrast will simply make a bouquet fuller and more vibrant but will parallel each other perfectly. For a lively juxtaposition, pair clumps of hardy chrysanthemums with long, angular stalks of ornamental grasses, branches covered in berries, and blue delphinium. For fall, steer towards red hypericum berries, amaranth, pincushions, and celosia for a joyful and festive aesthetic that’s also shabby chic.
To learn more about chrysanthemums and other floral favourites, check out Chelsea Flowers for all your blossoming needs.
To read more about flowers mentioned above to plant with your chrysanthemums, check out the link below: