FALL ARRANGEMENTS - Decorative Florist mums flourish when the nights get longer

Fall mums bloom when the nights get longer because they need darkness to flower. The cool weather also helps with the bloom size, which will be larger, and color, which will be more intense, of these hardy beauties. (People wanting their mums to bloom earlier can spread a sheet over the plants for a time during the day to increase the time of darkness). I just let them bloom at their normal time, as they add such color and beauty to the fall months of October and November. These decorative, reflex and anemone varieties bloom primarily in late October and November in my zone 6. If necessary, I harvest the flowers in tight bud stage, and keep in water in a refrigerator in the garage until ready to use. For this arrangement, the buds had been harvested and in the refrigerator for three weeks.This arrangement will last upwards of 2-3 weeks more. Pretty amazing! The three varieties are Bill Holden (Reflex), Resomee (Decorative), and Prom Queen (Anemone).  They can easily reach 8" across if the side laterals or branches are removed, or disbudded, one to a stem. I mulch these during the winter months, after the stalks are cut back to the ground after harvesting. 

CHRYSANTHEMUMS -- Long-lasting in the vase for fall arrangements

I harvested my florist mums before we had a hard freeze. These blooms have been in a big bucket of water on the  protected patio since October--nearly three weeks. They are opening nicely and will continue to do so in this weeks arrangement.  When arranging it, I found new leaves forming on the stripped stems--that's how wonderful they are as a cut flower--they make great fall arrangements, lasting 3 or more weeks in the vase. They come in a wide variety of classes and colors, and are a definite must for your fall flower beds.This variety is a REFLEX, Class 2, named BILL HOLDEN, 2A. The blooms are large, reaching as big as 5 inches across. It is a strong upright grower, and produces many flowers. Arrange when centers are still in tight bud. They will completely unfold, producing a huge floret.