Mums are unbeatable when adding late-season color

Fall chrysanthemums, or garden mums, are a tradition in many autumn landscapes. They are unbeatable for adding a fresh burst of color to the late season garden. Yellow and gold varieties glow in the lower light of fall and echo the burnished leaves of trees and shrubs. Warm reds and oranges are more prevalent in the fall landscape and are a natural balance to the cooler temperatures. The cool pinks and lavenders - my personal favorites - soften the burgundy and purple tones of changing foliage.

There are many ways to incorporate mums into the fall garden. One way is to interplant them with spring-flowering bulbs. After the mums turn light brown in early winter, leave their foliage for winter interest. Their dried flower heads hold snow beautifully. In March, cut down the foliage to showcase the flowering bulbs. Complete the cycle of seasonal color by planting summer annuals.

Mums can give new life to containers that may look tired in the fall or need a color update. To do this, gently pull out the summer-worn annuals. Keep any grasses or spikes for height. If your trailers still look good, leave them to soften the edges of your container. Mums are large, so one of two will easily fill the center of a pot. Dig out some of the soil to make room for the mum, then plant, loosening the roots gently. Water thoroughly to refresh the planting. Place pots in clusters by your front door, and include some pumpkins and cornstalks for a welcoming fall vignette.

Though botanists have renamed the Chrysanthemum genus Dendranthemum, most retailers continue to sell them under their former name. Most garden chrysanthemums sold in the fall are not reliably hardy in our area. You can increase your chances of successfully over wintering them by planting them in raised gardens or very well drained soils. Mulching them after the ground freezes will also increase your chances of success.

Or you can choose one of the very hardy mums like Clara Curtis or Cambodian Queen. Their daisylike flowers are carried on multiple branched stems that form irregularly shaped drifts of color. Although they don't have same look as garden mums, they are reliably hardy in our northern Illinois gardens.

Mums are also available with a variety of flower forms. Decorative types have petals in an upturned form - these are the classic mum flowers we see most often. Quill flowers have double-rayed tubular petals. Spoon types are similar to quill flowers, but the ends of petals open up to form a spoon shape. Pompom flowers have petals that curve in to form a ball. And daisy types have traditional daisylike flowers with either a single or double row of petals.

New varieties become available every year with new shades, better color retention, more vigor, or longer bloom time. Here are some varieties to consider adding to your landscape this season - categorized by color.

Red

The early-flowering Bravo fades to orange-red over time. Helen blooms from early to mid September and retains her red color longer. Regina, a daisy type with yellow centers, and Raquel, a decorative type, keep you seeing red late in September and Carmella will provide you with red flowers into October.

Red mums stand out in the landscape with their rich color. Combine them with ornamental grasses or yellow-toned fall foliage.

Yellow

One of the earliest to bloom, Heidi will light up the garden. Golden Gigi and Dawn bloom shortly after, and Mary and Yolanda, both decorative types, begin blooming in late September. To keep yellow blooms in your borders in October, choose Golden Cheryl, a golden yellow decorative type with bronzy highlights, or Golden Andrea who shines in bright yellow.

Yellow mums combine nicely with pink anemones, purple asters, and the changing colors of tree and shrub foliage.

Bronze/orange

Bronze-colored mums compliment all fall colors in the landscape. Miranda, a decorative type, begins blooming in mid September. Jennifer is a bicolor with a mahogany center and amber outer petals. Spicy Cheryl blooms shortly after; and Tasha keeps bronze glowing in your garden in October.

Orange mums are striking when combined with gourds, Indian corn and the dried seed heads of ornamental grasses. Hannah begins blooming in early to mid September, Ashley in early October - both are decorative types. Andrea, another late-blooming variety is a lovely two-toned decorative type.

Pink

Pink-hued mums are increasing in popularity and are my personal favorites. They look fabulous when planted by shrubs with burgundy fall foliage and with purple asters. They can also help blend late-blooming roses into the fall landscape. From Jacqueline Fusion and Sharon to Jacqueline and Barbie, you can keep your landscape pretty in pink from early September to Halloween.

White

To add a bright spot to your garden in mid to late September, plant Marilyn, a white decorative type. Wilma White begins blooming in late September, and Brigette will proudly finish up the season. When planted with evergreen plants as a backdrop, white mums shimmer. They also show off well at night.

Chrysanthemums, with their rich, saturated colors provide us with flashy, late season color as everything around us begins to fade to a neutral palette of tans, grays, and browns. Don't lose the battle of drab - fight back with mums!

•Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the retail manager of The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040 or visit planterspalette.com.