Cornelius Ackerson, The Complete Book of Chrysanthemums (No place ind., the American Garden Guild Inc. & Doubleday and Co., Inc., 1957), 256 pp., index, glossary, hardbound. This book's twenty-three chapters cover all aspects of the chrysanthemum for the amateur grower, with drawings and photographs (23 in color). Cornelius Ackerson resided in Keyport, New Jersey, and was an early President of the National Chrysanthemum Society. Even though more than a half-century has gone by since its publication, Ackerson's clarity and thoroughness make this book still one of the best guides to growing chrysanthemums ever written.
Christopher Brickell and H. Marc Cathey, editors-in-chief, A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants (New York, NY, Dk Publishing Inc. and the American Horticultural Society, 2008 edition), 1,103 pp., over 6,000 photographs, hardbound. This mammoth volume is the ultimate reference book for ornamental plants. The seven pages devoted to the chrysanthe-mum are packed with useful information.
Brian Capon, Botany for Gardeners (Portland OR, The Timber Press, Third Edition, 2010), 268 pp., index, glossary, "Suggestions for Further Reading," softbound. An understanding of the underlying science of the chrysanthemum will enhance your growing experience, and this well-written and up-to-date book is a great way to learn about the chrysanthemum and plants in general.
Andrea Cheng, illus. Michelle Chang, Goldfish and Chrysanthemums (New York, Lee and Low Books, 2003), ca. 32 pp. A very sweet book for young children in which chrysanthe-mums play an important role.
Joseph Cuerda et. al. (trans. from Spanish by Eric A. Bye), Essential Atlas of Botany (Hauppauge NY, Barrons, 2004), 96 pp., index, softbound. The great illustrations make this book another fine foundation for understanding how chrysanthemums and all other plants work.
Alex Cumming, Hardy Chrsyanthemums (New York, Whittlesey House/McGraw-Hill Co., Inc., 1939), 168 pp., index, hardbound. The modern chrysanthemum owes its existence to Alex Cumming, who developed the famous "Korean hybrids." In addition to covering all other aspects of chrysanthemum growing, this book explains in detail how to take the pollen from one flower and use it to fertilize another flower to create hybrids, and what the laws of heredity discovered by Mendel tell us is likely to occur afterwards.
Roderick W. Cumming, The Chrysanthemum Book: All Known Species and Types; Propagation, Culture and Care (Princeton NJ, D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., 1964), 301 pp., index, hardbound, drawings by Allianora Rosse. Cumming, a second generation chrysanthe-mum expert (son of Alex Cumming), resided in Bristol, Connecticut. Seventeen excellent color photographs are a special feature of this book.
Heinz Goerke (trans. from German by Denver Lindley), Linnaeus: A Modern Portrait of the Great Swedish Scientist (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1973), 179 pp., chronology, bibliography, index. A fine biography of Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), the great Swedish botonist who devised the systematic classification of plants and animals, and coined the word "chrysanthemum."
Robert W. Langhans, ed., Chrysanthemums: A Manual of the Culture, Disease and Insects and Economics of Chrysanthemums (Ithaca NY, New York State Extension Service, 1964), 185 pp., index, softbound. Nineteen authors, county extension agents and university professors, contributed to this detailed study of all aspects of chrysanthemum growing. The eighteen chapters are divided into three sections: "Culture," "Disease and Insects," and "Economics." While the book is geared to commercial growers, the amateur chrysanthe-mum grower can learn much as well.
Tameji Nakajima and H. Carl Young, The Art of the Chrysanthemum: Japanese Tech-niques for Creating Bonsai, Cascades, Giants, and Other Potted Styles (Tokyo, Japan, John Weatherhill Inc., 1965), 260 pp., bibliography, index, hardbound. Chrysanthemums have been an important part of Japanese culture for centuries. The eighteen chapters are divided into three major areas: "General Cultural Practices," "Bonsai," and "Large Potted Styles."
Harry Randall and Alan Wren, Growing Chrysanthemums (London, England, Croom Helm, 1983), 168 pp., index, hardbound. Amateur chrysanthemum culture is alive and well in Great Britain, and this fine work tells how it is done on the other side of the Pond.
Ernest L. and Aleita H. Scott, Chrysanthemums for Pleasure (Bogota NJ, The Scotts, 1947), 105 pages, softbound. This modest work by the founder of the National Chrysanthemum Society (who in turn interested Long Island Chrysanthemum Society founder Fred Lindeman in growing mums) and his wife is specifically geared to the amateur grower.
Elmer D. Smith, Smith's Chrysanthemum Manual (Adrian MI, Elmer D. Smith & Co., Seventh Edition, 1930), 126 pp., detailed table of contents, softbound. The classic guide to chrysanthemum culture for both amateur and professional growers. Alex Cumming calls Smith "the outstanding figure ... among all American breeders."
Jack Woolman, A Plantsman's Guide to Chrysanthemums (London, Ward Lock Ltd., 1989), 124 pp., index, hardbound. The author was president of Great Britain's National Chrysanthe-mum Society. A large part of the book is devoted to a description of the various varieties grown in the UK. While the book is geared to British growers, Americans can learn much from it as well. Spectacular color photos are another feature of this fascinating work.
Copyright 2010 by Joel R. Simon. All rights reserved.
