This year, I traditionally end a series of articles about the next chrysanthemum exhibition in the Botanical Garden by showing not a single flower (inflorescence) of a certain variety, but by presenting it immediately in mass flowering.
For the first time I want to show you chrysanthemums in close-up, because each variety, as I have already written, as a rule, demonstrates its advantages in a small picture, where 50 pieces are planted.
Every spring, before planting, rooted cuttings are prepared, varieties are divided by color and height.
Often not only beautiful, but also contrasting combinations are obtained.
A number of varieties, or a “family” of chrysanthemums, are trying to be placed side by side.
Make not only large-flowered, but also small-flowered chrysanthemums. And last – it is very important to combine not only in color, but also in height.
With such a variety of varieties, and more than 200 are exhibited annually, some flaws are permissible, but when chrysanthemums bloom, it is not so important.
Today you will see both small-flowered and large-flowered chrysanthemums at once.
There are no indifferent people among those who admire chrysanthemums.
All people: women and men, children, young and old – look at autumn flowers with genuine interest, sincerely smiling, sharing their impressions with each other.
True fans of chrysanthemums are not even stopped by the rain.
Let’s hurry to the autumn chrysanthemum ball before they have faded yet…
Admiring chrysanthemums, let’s remember the most interesting facts about them.
For more than 2500 years, people have been growing chrysanthemums.
The homeland of chrysanthemums is considered not only Japan, but also China.
The cultigenic range (the range of a species occupying a certain territory of its cultivation by man) of chrysanthemums has long and far gone beyond East Asia and included all of Asia, America, Europe and Africa.
Currently, the world assortment of chrysanthemums has 10,000 varieties.
The breeding of new varieties is sometimes so original that we can talk about the whole direction. So, it is for Chinese chrysanthemums that such a spider inflorescence is characteristic.
In industrial floriculture, chrysanthemums are grown for cutting flowers and as indoor plants.
In the festive decoration, low (30-50 cm/1-1.6 ft) varieties of chrysanthemums are appreciated, which do not require supports, are well leafy, give a sufficient number of lateral shoots, easily multiply, bloom for a long time, are resistant to diseases, pests and adverse environmental conditions: rain, fading in the sun, wind.
These requirements are met, first of all, by small-flowered chrysanthemums.
Their flowering seems to spread bright multicolored carpets on the ground.
Often these “carpets” are also fragrant.
A peculiar tart smell of chrysanthemum with honey notes is the aroma of autumn.
And, no matter how exotic the beauty’s appearance is, her natural southern charm will “betray” that she is the queen or princess of autumn in front of you.
Early varieties of small-flowered chrysanthemum in the open ground bloom from the end of September to the second half of October, and by the second decade of November they are already blooming.
Varieties of medium-ripened flowering, demonstrating their beauty from the second half of October to the first half of November, are still at the peak of their mass flowering.
Varieties of the late flowering period bloom at the end of the second half of November and, if kept for a long warm autumn, bloom until December.
Every year, the weather makes its own adjustments to the flowering period of the variety.
For chrysanthemums, cooling in September is especially important, which gives them an impetus to increase the vegetative mass.
Naturally, a well-leafed strong plant will give a more effective flowering.
The autumn Chrysanthemum Ball in the open air is a unique botanical event.
In 2018, it is already the 65th botanical exhibition.
But specifically the chrysanthemum culture began there in 1812.
The first chrysanthemum that found its second home was a chrysanthemum of Chinese selection.
Today we see English, French, Dutch and Chinese beauties at the ball.
Here, breeding is aimed at creating varieties with early and medium flowering periods, tall — for cutting, short – for flower beds, borders and pot culture.
Along with small-flowered chrysanthemums, border or dwarf large-flowered varieties with a height of 89-114 cm(35-45 in) are suitable for creating autumn mixed borders, perennial borders, and certain groups.
Even if there are not many of them, they still look very good.
The colors of those directions that fashion dictates to breeders.
Orange, purple, purple, yellow and white varieties still find their fans.
The beauty of simple, semi-double and double chrysanthemum inflorescences is fascinating.
Their mnemonic, xiphoid spherical, flat, pompous, spider-like forms are interesting in themselves.
Small and big – they are all adorable!
Variety after variety of chrysanthemums demonstrate their beauty.
Delicate and pastel, bright and charming — they are all beautiful.
There are no ugly and uninteresting varieties!
Each chrysanthemum has its own “highlight”.
Each variety has its own charm.
Often the perception of the beauty of chrysanthemums is complemented by the appropriate name.
The varieties created in the USSR, by the way, are not inferior in beauty to European ones.
There is a certain boldness in them.
The apparent simplicity of some small-flowered chrysanthemums is deceptive.
You understand this when you start to look closely at the flowers.
It is impossible to get acquainted with a variety of chrysanthemums “on the run”.
At a fleeting glance, it is impossible to see all the nuances of the inflorescence.
Going to the autumn chrysanthemum ball, it is necessary to allocate at least 2-3 hours of pure time for inspection, excluding the road.
It is best to visit the exhibition on a sunny day.
Those who like walking and chrysanthemums will enjoy the exhibition.
Having bought an entrance ticket at the ticket office, do not waste time and hurry to the chrysanthemum exhibition, focusing on the arch adjacent to the administrative building.
You can admire chrysanthemums alone and together.
These autumn flowers do not like the hustle and bustle.
If you do not have time to admire chrysanthemums at the end of this autumn, then next year it is better to plan a visit to the exhibition for the first decade of November, when not only small-flowered, but also large-flowered varieties will bloom.
Your perception of the autumn ball will be more complete if you see not only luxuriously blooming small-flowered, but also large-flowered chrysanthemums.