Chrysanthemum Maximum Silver Princess

Hi
I planted 3 of the above two years ago, but now need to move them.
Books seem to indicate that these plants should be pruned to ground level in Autumn and can be divided in Spring.
Does this mean that I should not move them until Spring? Also when in Autumn should the plants be cut back - to me Autumn covers the period September to November!
Regards
John

 

John, I don't know anything about Chrysanthemums is particular. But in general, when plants flower late you divide them in spring. Dividing means digging them up, splitting the plant up into 2 or more bits and then replanting. This is exactly the same as moving a plant but without the splitting bit. So I wouldn't move them till spring.

For cutting back, I would wait until the plant starts to die back naturally and is ready to go dormant. If you cut back too early the plant is tempted to waste its energy trying to regrow, when it should be saving its energy (starches stored in the roots) for regrowth next spring. Once the plant starts to die back naturally you have a choice to either cut it back then in late autumn or to cut it back in spring. Some people like to cut plants back in autumn because they look tidier, others (including myself) leave them to spring. They leave a structure overwinter that can look good when frosted, the stems leave hiding places for insects to overwinter, and more importantly the foliage acts like a fleece giving added winter protection to anything that is a bit borderline in hardiness. So a general rule might be that in the south you can cut back in autumn, but in the north it may be wiser to cut back in spring.