Chrysanthemum x rubellum 'Clara Curtis' in Marsha's Garden
(Photo by Marsha)
(Photo by Marsha)
I'll bet my friend Marsha is catching flies in that dropped jaw she's got after reading yesterday's post. You know, the one where I said I was never planting mums again? When she and I went to Darke County a week ago, before I left her house for home, she shared some of her garden with me. Her chrysanthemums, to be exact. And I actually wanted them.
Last fall, she had a going-away party at her house for her daughter Jennifer and her husband Scott, because they were moving to New Mexico. It was a wonderful party, held outside on a gorgeous fall evening. As I walked around her garden, I was awed by the gorgeous pink flowers she had growing and promptly informed her that I must have some. She'd already offered to share some with me a month or so before that, but you know me and mums . . .
So okay, now I've got a nice-sized clump of 'Clara Curtis' in my garden and it's got flower buds all over it. I don't know if it will make it all the way to full bloom due to the transplanting, but it's looking promising. 'Clara Curtis' is an heirloom mum, originally from Russia and supposedly hardy to zone 4, so maybe I'll have better luck with it. Marsha says it grows like crazy. Yes, that's the mum for me!
I know what else you're thinking. "But they're PINK! You said you didn't like pink mums!" Yeah, I know. I'm so confused. Must be the fibromyalgia. I think it's the hot pink ones I don't like. These are a pretty shade of cotton candy pink that look like daisies. And everyone knows I love daisies.
So there you go. I did plant mums and they are pink and I really hope they make it through this winter. If they don't, I will try them again. This is one mum I'm determined to have. And Marsha - I know I said you aren't supposed to say thank you for passalong plants (Mom says they won't grow if you do), but I really want to say it. So thank you.
I hope I didn't just jinx my mums.
"Bejeweled"
12 comments:
Those are lovely. I agree, there is an exception to every rule! And those cute pink mums are lovely enough to break rules over. I'll have to add them to my 'I want that' list. My mother says the same thing about pass along plants, but it doesn't seem right to not say thank you!
They are a beautiful color! Have not seen anything quite this lovely, in terms of mums ...
Nice selection of mums . Realy nice colours for this time of the year, particually like the blue one with the butterfly on.
Cheers Mark
I'm generally not a fan of mums, but these are lovely. These are going on my want it list too. I need some fall blooms!
I'm glad you broke your own rule about mums, you like them too much :-)
Hope this one will make it to next spring.
I love the color! Happy GTS,
Aiyana
I tried 'Clara Curtis' a few years ago, and don't remember why I didn't like them. After seeing your photo, I think that they deserve another try.
I love the Autumn greeting plaque. Sara from farmingfriends
Those are so pretty. I like mums and I love pink flowers so this one I'll have to add.
LOL Never say never, Kylee! I can understand why you fell for Clara Curtis, what a little beauty she is. Lots of luck with your mums this time round!
Hi Kylee. I've had Clara Curtis in my garden for years and just love it. It starts blooming in mid to late July and doesn't stop until Frost. I did a July 13 post on it.
I can certainly understand your Mum frustration. The Perennial mum is not the same thing as a "hardy garden mum", and must be planted in the SPRING to get it to come back. Planting a mum in the fall is risky at best because the roots don't have enough time to establish before the first killing frost. As for Asters, I will never plant one. They are too susceptible to Powdery Mildew. Gross! They loose their leaves from the bottom up and look straggly very quickly. I hope you have better luck with yours! (and I live in Zone 5 as well) Happy Gardening! (and remember...Dirt happens!)
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