Chrysanthemum’s the Word

Spider mums and other varieties at the New York Botanical Garden. COURTESY NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

Chrysanthemum "Stacy Pink" at a discount garden center. Not clear if this is a perennial or not so temper your expectations. ANDREW MESSINGER

Two different colors on the same potted mum plant? Actually, the pot was planted with two different varieties (different plugs) to create the different colors. It’s a crapshoot if they will overwinter, and if they would return with both colors next year. A great and inexpensive show for this year though at about $7 for a 12-inch pot. ANDREW MESSINGER

One of the displays you may see at the New York Botanical Garden’s Kiku display in the Bronx this fall. COURTESY NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

Chrysanthemum "Matchsticks" is a mum that grows to about 2 feet tall and sometimes blooms in July then again in October. Hardy to zone 5, though it may be short lived. Available from Plant Delights online. ANDREW MESSINGER

Chrysanthemum "Single Korean Apricot" is the last mum to flower in my garden and one of the last places that honeybees can gather pollen in the fall. ANDREW MESSINGER