Bringing an Ancient Art to Life
Our eye-catching chrysanthemum displays use grafting techniques that date back more than 400 years to Japan and China. To learn these techniques, our gardeners traveled to Asia where they trained under specialty chrysanthemum growers who are skilled in this dying art form.
Using this knowledge, our gardeners create displays in scope and artistry that are rarely seen outside of Asia. These include the tri-colored dome, tri-colored shield, 100-cultivar chrysanthemum, cascading chrysanthemum and pom-pom chrysanthemum. We’ve also produced a 1,100-bloom chrysanthemum measuring 12 1/2- feet wide that barely fit through the doors of the Main Conservatory.
Creating our specialty chrysanthemum forms is a year-long process that takes patience and time. For example, the 1,100-bloom chrysanthemum alone took 1,800 hour of labor — practically a full-time job.
From Our Blog - Chrysanthemums
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The Art of Grafting Chrysanthemums
Blog
The Art of Grafting Chrysanthemums
Ever wonder what is going on in the greenhouses at this time of the year? While you are enjoying the beautiful summer display, Longwood's growers are already getting ready for fall!
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One Singular Sensation
Blog
One Singular Sensation
The tall, single stemmed chrysanthemums you see in the Conservatory here at Longwood Gardens are quite different than the mounded shrubs loaded with small flowers that you find at your local garden center.
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No Ordinary Mum
Blog
No Ordinary Mum
Do you hear the word chrysanthemum and picture those simple household flowers from the local garden shop? At Longwood Gardens, we take the ordinary mum and make it extraordinary, turning it into a work of art—the Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum!
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The Art of Cascade Chrysanthemums at Longwood Gardens
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The Art of Cascade Chrysanthemums at Longwood Gardens
Cascade chrysanthemums have long been at the heart of Longwood Gardens' annual Chrysanthemum Festival. Longwood grows specialty mums that originated in China and Japan and are selected for their ability to create beautiful and lasting forms.
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Mum's the Word: Longwood Grows Mammoth Mum
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Mum's the Word: Longwood Grows Mammoth Mum
The Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum refers to a technique, originating in China and expanding to Japan several hundred years ago, for growing an extremely large Chrysanthemum, with a goal of producing the maximum number of flowers possible on a single plant.
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The Role of Our Research Department in the Chrysanthemum Festival
The Role of Our Research Department in the Chrysanthemum Festival
In the fall of each year, thousands of amazing chrysanthemums grace the Conservatory and outdoor areas of Longwood Gardens. Among those displayed include both common and rare varieties.