This
genus of about 20 species of upright perennials is native to
Europe and Asia. The species were previously included in the
genus Chrysanthemum and they include the beautiful florists’
chrysanthemums. Very few of the wild species are seen in
gardens. The florists’ chrysanthemums are very variable hybrid
cultivars, now grouped under the name Dendranthema x
grandiflorum (syn. Chrysanthemum morifolium). They originated
in China before 500 bc and have been bred over centuries to
become one of the most popular of all temperate region
flowers. These chrysanthemums are grown for garden decoration
and for cutting. They will naturally form several smallish
blooms per stem, which are known as sprays. Disbudded
chrysanthemums are formed by removing the lateral buds of
spray types at an early stage. This leaves a single terminal
bud to form on each stem and produces much larger, individual
blooms that are suitable for exhibition. With continuous
hybridization the flowerheads have diversified in size, shape
and disposition of the florets in the blooms. There are 10
main groups of classification based largely upon floral
characteristics. All but a few flower in mid- to late fall
(autumn).
The following are the 10 main classification
groups.
Anemone-centered: A daisy-like bloom which has
a pin-cushion center and a single or double row of radiating
flat florets, often in contrasting colors. They are normally
grown as sprays rather than single blooms.
Incurved:
Fully double globular blooms formed of firm-textured florets
curving inwards and packed closely together. The flowers are
excellent for use as cut flowers and last well. They are used
extensively for show work and floral art
exhibitions.
Intermediate: Fully double blooms with an
incurving shaggy form, the florets curling to form a ball.
Some varieties have outcurving florets at the base of the
flowerhead.
Pompon: Fully double, globe-shaped blooms
formed of numerous, tightly packed florets. They are normally
grown as sprays, rather than single blooms and are excellent
cut flowers.
Quill-shaped: Double blooms with narrow
tubular florets, opening out at the tip.
Reflexed:
Rounded double blooms, formed of florets that curve out and
down, often with a curl or twist.
Fully reflexed:
Perfectly rounded, double blooms with florets that curve out
and down with the lowermost florets touching the
stem.
Single: These have well-formed daisy-like blooms
with up to 5 rows of radiating florets arranged around a
flattened yellow disc. They are excellent for massed planting
and are available in a wide variety of colors.
Spiders:
Double blooms with long, narrow tubular florets that spread
out in all directions in a spider-like
formation.
Spoon-shaped: Double blooms with very narrow
radiating florets with the tips expanded to form spoon
shapes.
Botanica Plus
(c) Beaver Multimedia - www.gardeninfo.com
(c) Random House
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