Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are popular garden plants celebrated for their vibrant autumn blooms. These flowers bring a burst of color to gardens as other plants fade with cooler weather. Companion planting involves growing different plants together to create a mutually beneficial environment. This practice enhances the health and visual appeal of your chrysanthemum display, leading to a more robust and beautiful garden.
Benefits of Chrysanthemum Companion Planting
Companion planting with chrysanthemums offers advantages for the garden ecosystem. Many companion plants deter common chrysanthemum pests, providing a natural defense mechanism and reducing reliance on chemical interventions. Certain plant pairings also attract beneficial insects, such as pollinators and predatory insects, contributing to garden health and biodiversity.
Beyond pest management, companion planting improves soil conditions around chrysanthemums. Some plants help break up compacted soil, enhancing aeration and water drainage beneficial for mum root systems. Companion plants also contribute to nutrient cycling, enriching the soil. Strategic placement of plants with complementary colors and textures enhances visual appeal.
Best Companion Plants for Chrysanthemums
Several plants are excellent companions for chrysanthemums, each offering unique benefits. Selecting plants with similar growing requirements, such as full sun and well-draining soil, ensures both mums and their companions thrive.
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are classic chrysanthemum companions due to their pest-repelling properties. Their strong scent deters various insects, including aphids and nematodes. African marigolds can be planted behind taller mums, while French marigolds are suitable for planting in front. Marigolds also attract beneficial insects, such as parasitic wasps, that prey on the chrysanthemum leafminer.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are another beneficial companion for deterring aphids. Their onion-like scent repels sap-feeding pests from chrysanthemums. Beyond pest control, their spiky foliage and delicate purple blooms add visual interest and attract pollinators. Chives thrive in similar conditions to mums, preferring full sun and well-drained soil.
Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) are excellent choices due to their similar late-season blooming times and growing conditions with chrysanthemums. Both prefer full autumn sun and well-draining soil, making them natural partners. Asters come in various jewel tones, providing a beautiful color contrast to mums, and can also help repel aphids.
Sedum, particularly ‘Autumn Joy’ (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’), is a popular choice for its low maintenance and complementary aesthetic. This succulent perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, aligning with chrysanthemum needs. Sedum’s late-season blooms attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, contributing to a vibrant garden ecosystem. Its fleshy leaves also provide shelter for beneficial insects.
Dill (Anethum graveolens) is another beneficial herb. Dill attracts ladybugs, natural predators of spider mites, a common mum pest. Both dill and chrysanthemums prefer similar full sun and moist soil conditions, making them compatible garden partners.
Ornamental cabbage offers a striking visual contrast with varied sizes and colors, including purple, rose, and creamy white. These cool-season annuals provide showy foliage that complements chrysanthemum blooms, thriving until the first hard freeze. Chosen primarily for aesthetic contribution to the autumn garden.
Helenium (Helenium autumnale), also known as sneezeweed, adds vibrant yellow, orange, and red hues, complementing chrysanthemums. Helenium attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, supporting garden biodiversity. This perennial blooms from July to October, providing a continuous display of color alongside chrysanthemums.
Plants to Avoid Near Chrysanthemums
While many plants benefit chrysanthemums, some should be kept at a distance. Certain plants compete for resources or attract the same pests and diseases, hindering chrysanthemum growth.
Heavy feeders like dahlias can deplete soil nutrients chrysanthemums need. Aggressive herbs like mint, oregano, and marjoram have spreading root systems that can quickly overtake and compete with chrysanthemums for space and resources. Fennel also releases chemicals that inhibit the growth of nearby plants (allelopathy).
Brassicas, including cabbage, broccoli, and kale, are not ideal companions. These vegetables attract pests like cabbage worms and loopers, which may also feed on chrysanthemum foliage. Many brassicas are also heavy feeders, leading to nutrient competition.
Tips for Designing Your Companion Garden
Designing a chrysanthemum companion garden involves thoughtful planning for aesthetic appeal and plant health. Proper spacing allows each plant sufficient room for growth and air circulation, minimizing resource competition. Understanding each plant’s light and soil requirements is key, as compatible conditions promote a thriving mixed planting.
Staggering bloom times ensures continuous visual interest throughout the growing season. While chrysanthemums offer vibrant autumn color, pairing them with plants that bloom earlier or later extends the garden’s appeal. Regular maintenance, including watering and occasional fertilization, supports the health of all plants. Creating diverse plantings with varying heights, textures, and forms enhances the overall design, leading to a more dynamic and visually engaging garden.