return of the Korean chrysanthemums

Yes, it's that time of year again. The 2000 or so Korean chrysanthemums up at the Conservatory Garden in the north end of Central Park are busting out in their annual late October show destined to make you smile and stare in awe at the range of colors and forms before you.
The seed of these classic mums was originally gifted to the garden by Mrs. Lasker in honor of her mother back in 1947 if I remember correctly. Every year the 2000 plants are grown locally and planted in the garden in May, then grown all season, pruned in order to be made bushier and more full, and explode with this amazing mix every fall.
Korean chrysanthemums are actually sun loving perennials but in order to make room for the 20,000 tulip bulbs planted each November these plants have to be treated like annuals and pulled every year. ...but don't worry, the plants are not just thrown away, they are transplanted and reused in other areas where they can continue to grow and flourish or they are recycled and become compost to feed next years crop.
(...and alas these would be the only shots I would get this year before the unbelievable storm that hit the last weekend in October causing such devastation to the park, including the premature razing of these displays along with the thousands of trees and shrubs horribly affected. but for pics of the mums from years past just click on the tags below. -aef 11.2.11)

The Korean chrysanthemums of Central Park's Conservatory Garden (2010 edition)

If you know me you know I can't get through October without plugging this amazing free show up at the north end of Central Park.
The Conservatory Garden is the only series of formal gardens in the Park, the main entrance located on 5th Avenue and 105th Street. In the north (French) garden every spring 2,000 Korean chrysanthemums are planted and tended to all season long by the staff of trained horticulturists. Eventually the ratio of daylight hours to night is copacetic and these gorgeous old-fashioned mums begin to bring forth the most sensational fall show for all New Yorker's and tourists to see.
The thousands of buds opening as we speak create a mixture of colors you couldn't even dream of, from soft cool whites and violets to hot vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds. Each flower you are convinced is your favorite and then you realize it is impossible because there are so many beautiful visuals and so much variation to the color and character of the different plants.
Korean chrysanthemums are perennial for us New Yorker's in zone 6b or 7a, and do best in a full, full sun application in a organic rich soil with excellent drainage.


However, the display doesn't last forever so you have to get to Central Park now and see them before they pass bloom. As true perennials their bloom time is only a few weeks long and personally I think the last week in October is always the best time to see this magnificent show. Not to mention by mid-November the staff of the Central Park Conservancy will begin to change out the displays to make way for the 20,000 tulips for spring so you don't want to delay.
The Conservatory Garden is open to the public free of charge from 8:00am to dusk every day of the year. For October the garden closes at 6pm and in November they will begin closing at 5pm. The Conservatory Garden, like the rest of Central Park, is maintained by the Central Park Conservancy, hence people often mistakenly call it the Conservancy Garden, which is of course incorrect. To learn more about the Conservancy and all they do for Central Park visit the official website of Central Park, centralparknyc.org

See you in the garden,
arborboy

oh, and if you want to see more pics of the Korean mums from years past just click on the "Korean chrysanthemum" tag at the bottom of this post, cheers, -aef

Korean chrysanthemums, 2009

The Korean chrysanthemum is a beautiful old fashioned mum that naturally flowers this time of year. Even though a perfectly winter hardy perennial here in the northeast, the Conservatory Garden in Central Park plants 2000 of these plants fresh each spring in the northern French garden. Grown all summer in organic-rich soil with good drainage and under full sun these plants get to be a few feet tall and wide and explode late October into November.
As you can see the mix of Korean mums is astounding and the wide array of colors is sensational.
These mums are quite different than the ones you find at your local florist, what I call the "pin cushion" mums, Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum and related cultivars. These are much larger and more open daisy-like flowers.
Though members of the Aster family, Asteraceae, these are most definitely chrysanthemums. Their fragrance is another great characteristic of these fall bloomers.


Such fabulous color and character every where you look. Hard to take a bad picture when you are surrounded by such beauty.

Each flower is such a character.



See these mums for yourself every fall up at the Conservatory Garden in Central Park at 105th and 5th Ave (in the French garden) from the end of October until mid-November when they get pulled so that 20,000 tulips can be planted for the following spring. Yup, that's what I said, 20,000!

Coming Soon: Korean chrysanthemums, 2009 edition

On view at the Conservatory Garden, Central Park, 105th and 5th Ave, New York, NY, 8am-5pm daily from now until the morning of November 12th.

mum season

It's about that time of year again. The Korean chrysanthemums up at the Conservatory Garden (105th and 5th Ave.) are in bloom for the next couple weeks and you should be sure to check them out. Not at all like the "pin cushion" mums we find at the local florists, Korean mums are perhaps more of an old fashioned mum but just the same they are true perennials and fabulous. They can tolerate a cut or two during the summer, pre-August I'd say, to become nice and bushy and still put out their strong late October bloom. This pic is from last year because I keep forgetting to take my camera and get some shots on my way home from the office. But soon enough. Great fall color beginning to appear in the park, and yes, this years Korean mums once again the glorious fall show in the north end of Central Park. Take a walk and you'll be glad you did.

see them before they pass

The Korean chrysanthemums are out in full force at the Conservatory Garden right now. They have just about hit peak bloom so be sure to get there in the next week or two to catch them before they pass. Trust me, after the 13th you'll miss them.

They are blooming in the French garden.

Take a 6 train to 103rd, north to 105th, and then east to Central Park. Enter through the Vanderbuilt Gate at 105th and 5th and go right to the north garden.

Enjoy.

Korean chrysanthemums in Central Park

At the Conservatory Garden in Central Park (105th and 5th) the Korean mums in the French garden are beginning to bloom. The show is once again going to be amazing. Here is a little glimpse of what you might find among the thousands of blossoms bursting open as we speak. Take a 6 train to 103rd, go up to 105th, and left over to the park. Enjoy!

click for slightly larger image

(All ArborBoy photo and collage created and protected by Alex Feleppa and available for sale or lease in print form or web copy. If interested contact arborboy@gmail.com. Thanks for not stealing.)