Chrysanthemums or 'Garden Mums' are an old standby in the autumn garden, but many gardeners do not realize there are hardy perennial mums that can be planted in the garden and only improve with age.

The Hardy Garden Mum is one of the most exciting flowers that can be grown in the garden or on the patio for late summer and autumn display. Garden mums require a minimum amount of care and do well even under some adverse conditions. There are varieties with colour that range from white to yellow, pink, bronze, red and their hues.

Leave them in situ to die back over winter, cut out the died-back stems when new growth appears in the spring and the flowering cycle starts all over again. A rich reward indeed for so little effort!