People have been growing chrysanthemums for more than two thousand years. Mums make bright and colorful gardens. People in China and other Asian cultures make tea with the flowers. Giacomo Puccini, the great Italian composer, even named one of his works after chrysanthemums, "Crisantemi."
人类种植菊花的历史已经超过两千多年。菊花让花园更加鲜艳多彩。中国和亚洲其它国家使用菊花制茶。伟大的意大利作曲家乔柯摩·普契尼（Giacomo Puccini）甚至将他的作品之一命名为《菊花》 。
 
One basic kind of mum is the hardy or garden mum. The other basic kind is the florist mum. The garden mum is better able to handle different growing conditions.
菊花的一种基本品种是园艺菊，另一种基本品种是切花菊。园艺菊更能适应不同生长环境。

There are many varieties of mums. The decorative mum is often seen in gardens. Another popular type, the quill mum, has long, straight petals like a tube or needle.
菊花分为很多种类。观赏菊常见于花园中。另一类常见品种是翎毛菊，其花瓣细长呈针或管状。
 
Chrysanthemum blooms can be white, yellow, gold, red or other colors. The plants often grow one meter high.
菊花可以开出白色、黄色、金色、红色或其它颜色的花朵，它们通常能长到一米高。
 
The soil for chrysanthemums should be kept moist but well drained so it does not get too wet.
种植菊花的土壤应保持湿润，但应保持排水良好以免过于潮湿。

Newly planted mums should be watered two or three times a week, depending on conditions. Plants established in the ground may do well just with normal rainfall.
新种下的菊花应该根据实际情况每周浇水2至3次。菊花在正常降雨条件下就能生长得很好。
 
Mums grow best in full sunshine. They produce colorful blooms when days get shorter and nights get longer. The life cycle of the plant depends on the amount of daylight. This is why experts advise against placing mums near nightlights or streetlights. The light may interfere with their normal growth cycle. The plants may develop buds too soon.
菊花在日照充足时生长情况最好。当白天变短黑夜变长时，它们就会开出五颜六色的花朵。菊花的生长周期取决于日照时间。所以专家建议不要将菊花放置在夜灯或路灯附近。灯光会影响菊花的正常生长周期，导致花蕾提前开放。
 
In climates where temperatures fall below freezing, plant mums at least six weeks before the first frost is expected. That way, the plants will be well established for cold weather. 
在零度以下的气候条件时，应在预期霜降前的6周种植菊花。这样，菊花就能更好地适应寒冷天气。
 
Placing mulch around the plants can protect them from the cold. Consider using straw or shredded leaves for the mulch. The material will also add nutrients to the soil.
在菊花四周铺设覆盖物能防止菊花受冻。可以考虑使用稻草或碎叶作为覆盖物。这些覆盖物还能增加土壤养分。
 
Some gardeners say the most beautiful presentation comes from planting mums close together. But be sure to leave enough space to let air flow between the plants. If not, there may be a greater chance of disease.
有些园丁表示，菊花密集种植最为漂亮，但要确保植株间留出足够空间以使空气流通。否则，菊花患病的几率可能会增加。

To get more blooms, gardeners pinch back the branches when new growth has reached fifteen centimeters. Squeeze about five to seven centimeters off each branch. Pinch it again when a branch grows another twelve to fifteen centimeters. Stop the pinching about one hundred days before you want the plants to bloom.