This is definitely my favorite time of the year because my chrysanthemums are in full bloom! The only problem is that the annuals I grow during summer have started wilting. Yes, it kinda affects the appearance of mums.
Luckily, there’s a perfect solution to this! All you need to do is add colorful annuals and you’ll be rewarded with the most beautiful flower display you could ever imagine.
Allow me to introduce you to the 7 showstoppers that’ll help you make the best out of this season!
1. Spice Things Up With Floss Flowers
My list starts with floss flowers, or as I like to call them, the underestimated annual bloomers. Their pom-pom blossoms and unique fuzzy appearance make them one of the prettiest flowers out there.
Imagine the kind of display they’ll make next to your mums!
But beauty isn’t the only benefit of floss flowers. Deer and rabbits typically stay away from them, which is a perfect way to protect your mums from these nuisances.
Oh, did I mention that they also attract pollinators and will help your entire garden thrive?
You’ll find them in numerous colors, but if you ask me, the blue ones are definitely the best companions to chrysanthemums!
2. Cosmos Is Always A Great Choice
Are you surprised to find cosmos flowers on this list? Of course not! If a garden lacks color, cosmos will save the day!
So, by planting orange and red cosmos in your garden, you’ll get a spectacular fall bloom display!
Cosmos is as perfect for edible gardens as it is for flower gardens because it attracts bees, hummingbirds, and other common pollinators.
These are some of the best cut flowers and I’m sure they’ll adore your vases along with some lovely mums!
3. Marigolds Pair Perfectly With Mums
And here comes the one and only marigold. This is actually a chrysanthemum’s cousin, which means it thrives in similar conditions.
Yes, the colorful blossoms of marigolds look amazing next to mums, but we shouldn’t forget about the leaves that add a special touch of beauty.
Another fact about marigolds is that they attract wasps, and in turn, these insects get rid of notorious leafminers that pose a great threat to chrysanthemums.
The scent of marigold blooms deters deer and rabbits, which means even more safety for your prized mums.
If you don’t have enough space in your garden for these plants, simply pair them in containers; they’ll perform perfectly!
4. Coleus For A Splash Of Colors
No one denies the fact that flowers are a stunning addition to gardens but we shouldn’t forget about foliage plants.
One of the best examples is the coleus plant, which has incredible leaf hues like red, burgundy, green, and purple.
Plants such as coleus and hostas produce flower spikes, but we typically snip them off to keep their appearance neat.
Be careful when selecting coleus for your garden because some varieties prefer indirect light, unlike mums which thrive in full sun.
5. Zinnias Make Everything Better
Well, zinnias are a sight to behold, so it’s no wonder they found a spot on our list of chrysanthemum companions.
Gardeners adore zinnias for their long blooming season, which lasts from summer through early fall.
The hardest part when pairing zinnias with mums is selecting a color. If that were the only thorn in my side, my garden would be a paradise!
6. Asters And Mums For Sunkissed Gardens
You may be surprised to find asters on this list since they’re generally considered perennials. They can’t really survive cooler temperatures in lower zones, so many gardeners are forced to grow them as annuals.
The first reason why chrysanthemums and asters make great companions is because both enjoy full sun. They’re super easy to maintain, so you’ll have a lovely bloom display without putting too much effort into care.
The star-shaped blooms repel aphids, which means your mums will be safe from these sap-sucking, destructive creatures.
7. Celosia For A Touch Of Elegance
And the last companion you should consider planting near your mums is the lovely celosia.
Varieties that produce plumes come in various stunning hues, such as salmon and fuchsia.
The bushy types, the ones with spicata, will add texture to your garden. Finally, the varieties known as cristata produce clusters of blossoms and will transform your garden into a colorful paradise.
Mums may be the star of the show, but you can raise the curtain on an even grander performance by adding these companions. Choose from our list and let your garden steal the spotlight this season!