Beloved for their late summer and fall flowers, Chrysanthemums or mums are terrific plants for adding color in borders and containers at a time when most summer flowers have faded. Usually easy to grow, these fall garden favorites come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. They make wonderful, long-lasting cut flowers too. While the Chrysanthemum genus includes about 40 species, there are countless horticultural varieties and cultivars available.

Chrysanthemum blooms are composed of many tiny flowers called florets. Some have both disk and ray florets in the bloom heads, but others lack ray or disk florets. The National Chrysanthemum Society divides bloom forms into 13 classes ranging from single daisies to multi-petalled pompons, petite to giant blooms. Their spectacular flowers come in many colors, from pink, purple and red, to orange, yellow and white.

Chrysanthemum Types

Irregular Incurve Chrysanthemum (Class 1)

These Chrysanthemums are the giant blooms of the Chrysanthemum genus. Many flowers are 6 to 8 in. across (15-20 cm). The florets (petals) loosely incurve and make fully closed centers. The lower florets may droop and provide a skirted look. They need to be staked. They are mid-season bloomers (October). Represented above is the irregular incurve bloom of Chrysanthemum ‘King's Pleasure’.

Reflex Chrysanthemum (Class 2)

These Chrysanthemums display large to medium-large flowers. The flowers can reach 4 to 6 in. in diameter (10-15 cm). Their florets curve downward and overlap, similar to bird plumage. The tops of these blooms are full but somewhat flattened. They need to be staked. They are early season bloomers (September). Represented above is Chrysanthemum ‘King George’ reflex flower form.

Regular Incurve Chrysanthemum (Class 3)

These Chrysanthemums display large to medium-large globular bloom equal in breadth and depth. The flowers can reach 4 to 6 in. in diameter (10-15 cm). Their florets smoothly incurve and form a regular ball. They need to be staked. They are mid-season bloomers (October). Represented above is Chrysanthemum 'Heather James' with beautiful deep reddish bronze flowers.

Decorative Chrysanthemum (Class 4)

These Chrysanthemums display large to medium-large flattened full blooms with upper florets that tend to incurve while the lower petals are generally reflex. They make good cut flowers and garden mums. They may need support. They are early and mid-season bloomers (September, October). Award-winning Chrysanthemum 'Grandchild' is a neat, bushy perennial mum with double, reflexed, mauve-pink flowers produced in early to mid-fall.

Intermediate Incurve Chrysanthemum (Class 5)

These Chrysanthemums display large to medium-large blooms, smaller than the irregular incurve Chrysanthemums, with shorter florets only partially incurving, giving a more loose and open appearance. They may need support. They are early and mid-season bloomers (September, October). Represented above is Chrysanthemum 'Cheerleader with large brushed amber blooms, 5-6 in. wide (12-15 cm), on a tall sturdy plant (up to 36 in. or 90 cm). A hardy perennial mum (hardiness zones 5-9).

Pompon Chrysanthemum (Class 6)

These Chrysanthemums display a profusion of small globular blooms, somewhat flat when young but fully rounded when mature. In regard to size, they range from small miniature button to large ball-shaped blooms almost 4 in. (10 cm) in diameter. The florets incurve or reflex regularly, and fully conceal the center. Small miniature button to large ball-shaped flower. They make good cut flowers and do not need support. They are mid-season bloomers (October). A popular variety is Chrysanthemum 'Moonbeam, a charming mum of perfect pompon form with solid white blooms that can reach 4 in. across (10 cm).

Single / Semi-Double Chrysanthemum (Class 7)

Reminiscent of daisy flowers, these Chrysanthemums produce flowers with a center disk and one or more rows of ray petals. They are mid-season bloomers (October). Clara Curtis is a ravishing single Chrysanthemum variety. An old and reliable selection of Mum, this free-flowering garden mum features a profusion of rose-pink, single and semi-double flowers, 2-3 in. across (5-7 cm). A truly hardy perennial mum (hardiness zones 4-9).

Anemone Chrysanthemum (Class 8)

These Chrysanthemums produce large or small flowers that are similar to the semi-double Chrysanthemums but display a raised cushion-like center. They may need support. They are mid-season bloomers (October). A popular variety is Daybreak with large apricot orange anemone blooms adorned with a conspicuous orange cushion. 

Spoon Chrysanthemum (Class 9)

These Chrysanthemums resemble the semi-double Chrysanthemums, with the exception that their ray florets are like spoons at the tips. They produce large or small flowers with a round and visible center disk. They are mid-season bloomers (October). Adding brilliance to the late season garden, Chrysanthemum 'Matchsticks' is a hardy garden mum sporting profuse and showy flowers featuring spoon-shaped golden-yellow petals adorned with fiery red tips. Blooming from early to mid-fall, this perennial forms a compact, bushy, upright clump and does not require staking. Easy to grow, it is an excellent choice for sunny borders or containers. Hardiness zones 5-9.

Quill Chrysanthemum (Class 10)

These Chrysanthemums produce large or small, fully double flowers with straight and tubular florets with open tips. They are mid-season bloomers (October). Chrysanthemum 'Saffina' is a spectacular, vibrant quill with fiery orange florets, adorned with yellow tips and a bright green center. Wonderful in bouquets and floral arrangements.

Spider Chrysanthemum (Class 11)

Exotic-looking, these Chrysanthemums produce large flowers with thin thread-like florets which may coil or hook at the ends. They are mid-season bloomers (October). Chrysanthemum 'Mocha' is a pretty spider mum, with pink florets that are exceptionally thin, long and elegant.

Brush and Thistle Chrysanthemum (Class 12)

Resembling an artist's paintbrush or a thistle, these Chrysanthemums produce medium-large blooms either with fine tubular florets which grow parallel to the stem, or that are flattened, twisted, and drooping. Great for flower arrangements. They are mid-season bloomers (October).

Exotic and Unclassified Chrysanthemum (Class 13)

These Chrysanthemums do not fit in any of the other classes.