QuestionI have several of these plants and they are beautiful. How do I need to care for them after frost? Also do I need to pinch off blooms as they die?
Rural Hall, NC
AnswerA Nipponanthemum by any other name would be... A Chrysanthemum!
Yes, surprise surprise, these are indeed the Mums grown worldwide for decades and decades. Botanists decided to update the category 10 years ago, dividing it into several (I forget how many) distinct Genus groups that had common features known only to botanists and a few other people with nothing else to do.
Sorry, it is a bit frustrating to deal with some of these superficial details. At best, it is confusing; at worst, it puts people in a situation where they have no idea how to grow this 'new' plant, when in fact they would be quite adept at growing Mums if they'd only know this was what they'd acquired.
Certain Nipponanthemums have very dark, thick leaves that make them tough enough to withstand very difficult conditions. Still, they need Full Sun and good drainage to do well. Be sure to deadhead them after blooming, or they'll sap energy and go to seed. They probably will all survive Winter outdoors, but that really does depend on where you are growing them. Zipcode, please.
THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER
