THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505050103
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBERT STIFFLER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
EVERY MOTHER I've ever met loves flowers. If yours does, surprise her on Mother's Day with a blooming potted plant.
Garden centers, nurseries and florists have dozens of selections, but one of the best choices is a potted garden chrysanthemum. Look for a white or yellow daisy mum along the lines of Shasta or Yellow Blush, two of Yoder Brothers most stunning new varieties.
Norman White, of White's Greenhouses in Chesapeake, the largest mum grower on the East Coast, confirms that Shasta and Yellow Blush are excellent. His mum cuttings come from Yoder Brothers, America's leading mum breeder. White says Yoder consumer studies show that women prefer daisy mums in white and yellow, while men prefer purple or lavender.
Edward Higgins, Yoder chrysanthemum product manager, says: ``Make sure your Mother's Day mum is showy. Yoder studies reveal that women are more demanding of quality mums than men. The mum to buy for mom is what Yoder calls a perfect 15; a plant that is 15 inches high, 15 inches wide and with at least 15 fully opened flowers.''
Other varieties mom may find especially appealing are Blush, Charm, Coral Splendor, Envy, Imperial, Iridon, Miramar, Pink Blush, Pomonoa and White Blush.
Retailers offer mums in colorful pot covers, baskets and ceramic containers. Or you can buy a mum in a plain pot and slip it into a wicker basket, finished off with Spanish moss and a bow. Or put a mum into a brightly colored gift bag or a decorated hat box with coordinating tissue paper to create an attractive gift. Another idea is to put a mum in a watering can and add a feathery bird or butterfly to the handle.
Chrysanthemums like water, so keep them in good light but not direct sunlight and water every other day. ``Every time a mum wilts, you can expect to loose one to four days of flower life, depending on type and variety,'' Higgins said.
Once blooms have faded, mom can move her mum into the garden and watch it bloom again in the fall. Mulch it before winter and, with the mild winters of recent years, it should bloom again every fall.
All of the varieties mentioned above should be suitable for planting outdoors, as should any plant labeled ``garden mum.'' Those not labeled for the garden may or may not survive outside.
For children who want a big splash next Sunday but have limited allowances, garden mums can be a bargain. They are often sold as starter plants in small pots for a small price like $2 or $3. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
YODER BROTHERS INC.
Spring Delano is one of many varieties of garden mums that might
delight mom on her day.
by CNB