Garden mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Bedazzled Bronze')

Overview

The Garden mum, Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’, is an exceptional herbaceous perennial valued for its intensely rich late-season floral display. This specific cultivar features distinctive flowers with a burnt orange center beautifully fading toward bronze-gold petal tips, providing vital color when many other perennials are winding down. Typically maturing to a manageable clump between two and three feet tall, Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ offers reliable structure and low weekly maintenance. Gardeners prize this plant for its ability to anchor fall displays, whether used as a seasonal accent or as a permanent fixture in the perennial border.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 2-3 ft
  • Spread: 1-2 ft
• Bloom Time: September to frost
• Bloom Description: Burnt orange with bronze-gold petal tips
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For the best results with your Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’, aim to plant material in the spring after the danger of the last frost has passed. Alternatively, planting in late summer or early fall (before September 15th) allows the root system to establish before winter dormancy. These plants thrive in humusy, fertile, consistently moist, yet well-drained soil, demanding full sun exposure for the best flowering performance.

Consistent care is key, especially regarding watering and pinching. Ensure the soil remains uniformly moist, especially during dry spells, as established Garden mums need medium water levels. To maintain a compact, bushy shape ideal for borders, pinch the stems back from late spring through mid-summer; this controls height and delays the onset of bloom until late summer or early fall. Feeding plants several times throughout the growing season will maximize bloom quality.

Divisions should be performed every two to three years in either spring or fall to maintain vigor. Overwintering methods differ based on climate. In warmer zones, cut the plants back to 6 inches after flowering. For gardeners in colder Zones 5 and 6, it is crucial to leave the top growth intact to protect the crowns, applying a loose mulch like straw over the root zone for added insulation against temperature fluctuations.

Landscape Uses

The compact form and late blooming period of Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ make it highly versatile in landscape design. It excels when used en masse or in groups to create drifts of consistent fall color. Use them effectively for defining edges or softening the front of borders where their dense growth habit can smooth transitions between lawns and taller plantings.

Because this Garden mum is sturdy and relatively low-maintenance, it integrates well into mixed perennial borders. Pair them with late-season bloomers like Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ or ornamental grasses that offer contrasting textures as the cool weather approaches. Furthermore, they perform admirably as standalone specimens in containers, providing a burst of autumnal joy that can supplement summer annuals before the first hard freeze.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Chrysanthemum morifolium, commonly referred to as the garden mum, establishes itself as a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, generally reaching heights of 2 to 3 feet. The Latin name references gold (chrysos) and flower (anthemon), capturing the genus’s traditional brilliance. The specific cultivar ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ stands out with its intense burnt orange centers that exquisitely transition to lighter bronze-gold edges on the petals.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

Aphids, thrips, and spider mites pose potential threats and must be monitored, as they can cause significant cosmetic damage to the foliage and buds of your Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’. Cultural management is essential for disease prevention. Ensure adequate air circulation through proper spacing and avoid overhead watering to minimize humidity levels around the base of the plant.

Fungal issues are common, especially in humid conditions. Be vigilant for Botrytis, stem and root rots, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and rust. These often signal overly damp conditions or poor air circulation. Verticillium wilt and aster yellows represent more serious vascular or viral issues, for which control relies on using disease-free stock and prompt removal of infected plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Garden mum suitable for?

The Garden mum (Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’) is generally suitable for USDA Zones 5 through 9.

How large does Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ grow?

This cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 2 and 3 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1 to 2 feet wide.

When does Garden mum bloom?

This plant produces its signature flowers beginning in September and continues blooming profusely until the first hard frost arrives.

What sun exposure does Garden mum need?

For the most robust flowering and growth, Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ requires full sun exposure throughout the day.

Conclusion

The unique burnt orange and bronze coloring ensures that the Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ remains a staple for late-season garden impact. As a low-maintenance, reliably blooming Garden mum, it delivers excellent value, color, and structure right up to the cold snap. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan to pinch stems during the early summer to achieve the best bushy presentation for autumn enjoyment.

Propagation Tips

Propagating healthy new chrysanthemum plants is an excellent way to increase your supply of Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ or refresh older clumps. The most successful method for this species is taking soft-wood or semi-hardwood cuttings, generally done in late spring or early summer before the plant begins setting heavy buds.

Cuttings should measure about 4 to 6 inches long, taken just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves and place the cutting into a sterile, moist rooting medium such as a 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite. Keeping the medium consistently moist and providing bottom heat and moderate humidity will encourage fast root development on your new Garden mum stock.

Design Ideas

Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Bedazzled Bronze’ is an essential element for creating impactful compositions during the fall season, perfectly complementing the warm palettes of autumn decor. Use this plant to create dynamic “spiller” or “thriller” elements within large outdoor containers alongside taller grasses or trailing sweet potato vine that can mask the cooler, sometimes messy appearance of the plant base in early summer.

When integrating this specific mum into perennial beds, place it where its rich color can be offset by cooling tones like deep purples or blues, such as Russian Sage or Asters still in bloom. Because the plant’s maintenance requires pinching early on, ensure its placement allows easy access for this essential early-season shaping to prevent leggy growth later in the year.