CHRYSANTHEMUMS in ABERDEEN

My garden has a reasonable aspect for growing chrysanthemums. Facing slightly west of south with a north/south and east/west slope. I estimate that I am about 250 - 300ft above sea level. The soil is classified as light, sandy loam. The soil type coupled with the sloping nature mean that the garden is well drained at all times.

There are trees and shrubs providing shelter on south, east and west sides and the house itself provides shelter on the north side.

The garden plan shown here shows how the garden is organised for chrysanthemum growing. As you may have read elsewhere I do grow chrysanthemums under glass as well as conventionally in the open ground.
(Although this plan shows spray chrysanths, I now grow all disbud varieties). My greenhouses are both 16ft by 8ft.

Early chrysanths
The two greenhouses will take about 50 plants each. The larger outdoor bed takes 100 plants and the smaller bed another 50. Added to this I also grow about 20 plants in pots. So, around 270 plants of early flowering chrysanths.

Spray chrysanths
In past years I grew about 50 pots of Late flowering chrysanths on the standing ground in front of the first greenhouse. This area was converted in 2000 and is now used to grow about 40 plants of early flowering sprays.

Summer is an active time, both with chrysanths and general garden jobs. In this picture, taken end June/early July, (I think) you can see that both houses are shaded and that the lates (in pots) are moving on quite well.

Although not easy to see, I have removed the top row of glass down both sides of the upper greenhouse, this helps to improve air flow through the house and reduce daytime temperature a little.

Winter in Aberdeen is usually an interesting time - this is because of the changeability of the weather. Snow one day, rain the next and sunny on the next. But nearly always cold!

I use the upper greenhouse for propagation and housing non hardy plants. The inside of the house is lined with bubble film for insulation. Last year I did not insulate the roof, preferring to make best use of what little daylight we have at this time of year. This paid off as winter 1997/98 was the exception to the rule and was unusually mild here in Aberdeen.

If you would like further information or wish to comment on this publication please send your e-mail to: paul.barlow@chrysanthemums.info