Fall in Massachusetts brings a spectacular display of colors, and heirloom mums are the stars of autumn gardens. These treasured varieties have been passed down through generations, offering unique colors and forms that modern hybrids can’t match.
Massachusetts gardeners particularly love heirloom mums for their cold hardiness and ability to return year after year in our challenging New England climate.
1. Clara Curtis
Dating back to the 1920s, Clara Curtis mums showcase delicate pink daisy-like blooms that dance in the crisp Massachusetts air. The single-petaled flowers attract late-season pollinators to your garden.
Hardy to zone 4, these beauties can withstand early frost and keep blooming well into October. Many gardeners report Clara Curtis returning faithfully for decades, forming impressive clumps that can be divided every few years.
2. Sheffield Pink
Beloved for its peachy-apricot blooms, Sheffield Pink creates a soft glow in autumn gardens when most other flowers have faded. The plant forms a generous mound up to 3 feet wide, covered with hundreds of single daisies.
Massachusetts gardeners value this variety for its October-November flowering period. Originally discovered in an old garden in Sheffield, England, this mum thrives in our similar climate and returns reliably year after year.
3. Emperor of China
Royal purple-pink blooms with silvery undersides make Emperor of China a showstopper in Massachusetts gardens. Unlike modern mums that bloom early, this heirloom saves its display for mid-to-late October when we need it most.
The quilled petals create an intricate texture that catches morning dew beautifully. A favorite since Victorian times, Emperor of China can withstand our unpredictable fall weather and returns faithfully each year, growing more magnificent with age.
4. Mary Stoker
Butter-yellow blooms with hints of cream make Mary Stoker a cheerful presence as daylight hours shorten. The flowers open from russet buds, creating an evolving color display throughout fall.
First introduced in the 1930s, this heirloom variety grows to about 24 inches tall with a spreading habit. Massachusetts gardeners appreciate how Mary Stoker’s strong stems resist flopping during our notorious fall rainstorms, keeping the display upright until hard frost.
5. Will’s Wonderful
Discovered in a Massachusetts garden in the 1950s, Will’s Wonderful features rich mahogany-red blooms that complement our famous fall foliage. The double flowers reach up to 3 inches across on plants that form dense 2-foot mounds.
Remarkably cold-hardy for zone 5, this local treasure often surprises gardeners by blooming through light snow. The deep color intensifies as temperatures drop, making it perfect for planting near deciduous trees where it can catch the golden afternoon light.
6. Hillside Sheffield
Soft lavender petals surround golden centers on this rare heirloom discovered at Hillside Gardens in Massachusetts. The flowers have a sweet honey scent that attracts the last butterflies of the season.
Growing to about 30 inches tall, Hillside Sheffield creates a beautiful backdrop for shorter fall perennials. Unlike fussy modern varieties, this tough plant shrugs off our unpredictable weather and returns reliably each year, even after harsh winters.
7. Cambodian Queen
Unusual bronze-orange petals with coppery tips make Cambodian Queen stand out in Massachusetts fall gardens. The blooms open gradually over several weeks, extending the display from September through November.
Brought to America by plant explorers in the 1930s, this variety has adapted beautifully to our New England climate. Massachusetts gardeners particularly value its resistance to powdery mildew, a common problem in our humid fall conditions.
8. Ryan’s Pink
Discovered in a Massachusetts cemetery in the 1940s, Ryan’s Pink offers masses of bright rose-pink flowers on sturdy stems that rarely need staking. The blooms have a spicy fragrance that intensifies on warm October afternoons.
Hardy to zone 4, this survivor has weathered countless New England winters. Massachusetts gardeners love how the color doesn’t fade even after frost, maintaining its cheerful presence until the garden is finally covered with snow.
9. Mei-kyo
Brought to Massachusetts by Japanese immigrants in the early 1900s, Mei-kyo produces clouds of small button-type flowers in a unique shade of lavender-pink. The compact plants rarely exceed 18 inches, making them perfect for front borders.
Massachusetts gardeners treasure this heirloom for its ability to bloom through frost and even light snow. The densely packed petals protect the flower centers, allowing Mei-kyo to keep its display intact when other mums have surrendered to winter’s approach.
10. Brandywine Sunset
Named for its wine-red petals that fade to gold at the tips, Brandywine Sunset creates a warm glow in Massachusetts gardens as daylight hours diminish. The semi-double flowers reach up to 4 inches across on plants that form 2-foot mounds.
Originally found in a colonial garden near Boston, this heirloom has adapted perfectly to our local conditions. Massachusetts gardeners report that Brandywine Sunset often returns earlier each spring, forming larger clumps that can be divided to share with neighbors.
11. Old Faithful
Living up to its name, Old Faithful has survived in Massachusetts gardens since the 1880s. The pure white flowers with golden centers provide a clean, bright accent against autumn’s rich palette.
Particularly valuable for northern gardens, this heirloom blooms earlier than most varieties, ensuring a display even in years with early frosts. Massachusetts gardeners plant Old Faithful near evergreens where its pristine blooms stand out beautifully against the dark green backdrop all the way into November.