Chrysanthemum 'Mary Stoker'

Chrysanthemum 'Mary Stoker': Soft Amber Light at Season’s End

Warm and welcoming, Chrysanthemum 'Mary Stoker' offers soft amber-yellow blooms with hints of peach and apricot that gently illuminate the fall garden. Each daisy-like flower has a golden centre and delicate petals, borne in profusion on compact, bushy plants from late summer through to frost. This hardy mum blends beautifully into autumn plantings, offering both pollinator value and refined colour. With excellent cold tolerance and a neat, mounded habit, it provides an elegant finishing note to the perennial season.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 50–60 cm
• Spread: 60–75 cm, forming a rounded, upright clump
• Flower Colour: Amber-peach with yellow centres
• Flowering Period: Late summer to frost
• Foliage: Deep green, lobed leaves with a lightly aromatic quality
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil; tolerant of light drought once established

Uses and Benefits: 'Mary Stoker' is a superb choice for extending the colour and structure of borders into late fall. Its warm tones pair easily with grasses and asters, softening bold autumn palettes while providing long-lasting floral interest. Its nectar-rich blooms support late-season pollinators, and its cold-hardy nature ensures dependable performance year after year in Canadian gardens.

Companion Plants: Pair with the golden arching sprays of Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks', the vibrant violet blooms of Aster novae-angliae 'Grape Crush', and the fine, silver-striped blades of Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' for a sophisticated, textural fall display full of movement and seasonal glow.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Water regularly during dry spells in the first season. Pinch back in early summer to encourage a bushier habit and optimal bloom timing. Cut stems down after flowering or leave for late-season interest and wildlife value. Divide every 3–4 years in early spring.

History: 'Mary Stoker' is a classic hardy chrysanthemum selection prized for its unique warm colouring and fall reliability. Long grown in temperate regions, it continues to be a go-to cultivar for gardeners seeking understated beauty and late-season pollinator support.

Final Thoughts: Softly glowing and seasonally well-timed, Chrysanthemum 'Mary Stoker' wraps up the garden year with warmth, elegance, and enduring charm.