The classic chrysanthemum ‘Clara Curtis’ has been called the world’s best mum for its consistently reliable attributes.
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Although plant hunters generally agree Chrysanthemum rubellum is native to Russia and the Carpathian Mountains, botanists and taxonomists have difficulty coming to consensus on the appropriate genus and species of the plant. Hence ‘Clara Curtis’ has been referred to with many scientific names in the past 50 years:
The variety ‘Clara Curtis’ is also referred to as ‘Country Girl’ in catalogs.
Common names include fall chrysanthemum, daisy mum, and painted daisy.
The compound inflorescent of the chrysanthemum is one identifying characteristic of the aster family. ‘Clara Curtis’ has pink ray florets around a central yellow eye of disc florets like a daisy.
The 3 inch wide flowers are as pastel pink as a spring prom dress. The flowers are atop erect stems of green deeply lobed leaves.
Plants mature to 18-24 inches in height and as wide.
The floriferous garden mum thrives best in full sun and compost rich well-drained clay or sandy soil. ‘Clara Curtis’ is more tolerant of light shade and poor soil than most chrysanthemums. The garden mum grows in hardiness zones 4-9.
Plants benefit from a slow release 12-6-6 or 8-8-8 fertilizer in spring. Thereafter, monthly fertilizer application is recommended during the summer growing season.
Spacing individual plants 15-18 inches apart allows for growth upward and outward.
Leggy stem growth and premature buds in summer requires pinching back or shearing down in mid-July to create bushier compact growth and maximum floral display in September and October.
The easy to grow plant has few pests or diseases and is deer resistant.
The mum is propagated by division and stem cuttings. ‘Clara Curtis’ spreads by underground rhizomes to form clusters. Dividing plants in late fall or early spring every few years increases longevity.
Starter plants may be ordered from the online catalogs of the following specialty nurseries:
Since ‘Clara Curtis’ is an old-fashioned passalong perennial, gardeners often obtain cuttings from a neighbor or at garden club plant exchanges.
Chrysanthemum rubellum ‘Clara Curtis’ is selected as an accent plant for its ability to steal the fall perennial show. The daisy mum adapts to mixed borders, containers, and cut flower gardens. Garden mums serve fall butterflies.
Gardeners combine the pink flowers with foliage of purple fountain grass, muhly grass or burgundy-leaf coleus, heuchera, and hosta. Purple heart tradescantia goes well around the base of ‘Clara Curtis.’
The pink fall blossoms mix well with Mexican sage, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy,’ tall Gomphrena, Salvia ‘Indigo Spires,’ and Joe Pye Weed.
The daisy mum partners well with late blooming annual English daisies too.
A Chinese philosopher advised that to be happy for a lifetime grow chrysanthemums. Experience perennial happiness with chrysanthemum ‘Clara Curtis.’
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