Daisy garden mum (Chrysanthemum 'Niche's October Glow')
Chrysanthemum 'Niche's October Glow' is a low-maintenance Daisy garden mum offering peach-copper blooms from late summer to frost.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial, providing crucial late-season color to the landscape when many other plants have faded. This specific Daisy garden mum cultivar is prized for its strong, upright habit and its warm-toned blooms that last from summer’s end right up to the first hard frost. As a mainstays of the fall garden, these plants offer reliable visual appeal and are attractive to late-season butterflies.
This clump-forming specimen reaches a manageable 2 to 3 feet tall, making it adaptable for various planting situations. While often treated as a temporary annual, Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ establishes well when provided with proper cultural care, offering dependable, low-maintenance color year after year.
Gardeners appreciate the ease with which the Daisy garden mum integrates into mixed borders or container arrangements. Its bloom time perfectly supplements autumn displays, ensuring consistent color interest through September and October.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: September to frost
- Bloom Description: Peach to copper orange with yellow center
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For best establishment, plant Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ in the spring or early summer, allowing the Daisy garden mum time to develop a strong root system before winter. It thrives in humusy, fertile, consistently moist, well-drained soils and requires full sun, though it can tolerate very light afternoon shade, especially in hot summer zones.
Routine care is straightforward. Pinch the stems back periodically from late spring through mid-summer (around Memorial Day through the 4th of July) to encourage a bushier, more compact habit and prevent legginess. Feed these heavy bloomers several times throughout the growing season for optimal flower production.
Watering should remain consistent, as this plant prefers constantly moist soil conditions rather than drying out between waterings. After the first hard frost kills the foliage, cut the plants back to about 6 inches above the ground and apply a protective mulch, such as straw or evergreen boughs, especially in colder sections of its range.
Division is recommended every two to three years in either spring or fall to maintain vigor. While Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ shows good hardiness, winter survival in northern climates (Zone 4/5) is enhanced significantly with adequate winter protection.
Landscape Uses
The versatility of this Daisy garden mum makes it a perfect choice for borders, mass plantings, or as an edging element along walkways. Its upright structure provides fantastic vertical interest without becoming overly dominant, fitting seamlessly into cottage or perennial gardens.
When selecting companions, group Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ with plants that share its sun and moisture requirements. Consider pairing it with late-season sedums, ornamental grasses, or sturdy fall-blooming asters to create a rich tapestry of texture and season-long color.
For container designs, use this cultivar as the ‘thriller’ element, surrounded by trailing annuals or mounding foliage plants. Gardeners frequently purchase multiple pots of this vibrant variety in autumn to create instant, impactful seasonal displays flanking entryways.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Chrysanthemum is a genus of about 20 species grown mostly for their showy flowers. Many hybrids have been developed which are a mainstay of the fall garden. ‘Niche’s October Glow’ was discovered growing near a bed of Chrysanthemum ‘Single Apricot Korean’ chrysanthemums growing at Niche Gardens in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is a clump-forming, fall-blooming garden mum that typically grows 2-3’ tall and to 1-2’ wide. Single, daisy-like, pale pink to peach to copper orange flowers with yellow centers bloom atop strong upright stems from late summer to frost. Flowers are attractive to butterflies.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Aphids, thrips, and spider mites can pose significant cosmetic threats, requiring vigilance, especially during hot, dry spells. Monitor leaf undersides regularly and treat with insecticidal soap if infestation occurs.
Disease pressure can include Botrytis, leaf spots, rust, and powdery mildew, often entering the picture in humid conditions or due to poor air circulation. Ensure proper spacing when planting and avoid overhead watering late in the day to manage these fungal issues. Deer and rabbits generally find this specific Daisy garden mum unappetizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ suitable for?
This robust perennial is well-suited for USDA Zones 4 through 9, offering reliable fall color across a wide climatic range.
How large does Daisy garden mum grow?
The typical mature size for Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ ranges between 2 to 3 feet in height and spreads 1 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ need?
This plant requires full sun for the best flowering performance, though it benefits from slight afternoon protection in the hottest summer climates.
When does Daisy garden mum bloom?
Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ begins flowering reliably in September and continues blooming robustly until the first hard frost arrives, displaying peach to copper orange hues.
Conclusion
The low maintenance requirements paired with the extended, warm-toned flowering period make the Daisy garden mum an essential component of the late-season garden. Planting Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ ensures your landscape maintains vibrancy well into the autumn months. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 4-9 and be sure to pinch back stems early to control that desired bushy form.
Wildlife Benefits
The blooms of Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ are known to attract butterflies, providing crucial nectar resources when many summer blooms are finishing their cycle. Planting this Daisy garden mum supports local pollinator populations during the often lean late summer and fall months. Its sturdy structure offers a good landing pad for these beneficial insects.
Propagation Tips
While you can establish Chrysanthemum ‘Niche’s October Glow’ from purchased plants yearly, its perennial nature allows for cost-effective propagation via division. Divide the clump every two to three years either in the spring as new growth emerges or in the fall shortly after flowering ceases. Carefully separate the rooted sections, ensuring each division has a healthy set of roots and shoots before replanting immediately.
