The hardy varieties of chrysanthemums are as well-known a part of fall as are football games and apple picking. Mums are a favorite container plant, and they also work well as large perennials in bed and borders. These vibrant, low-maintenance plants start blooming in late summer and welcome autumn in bright and jewel tones.
Botanical Name:
Chrysanthemum
Most Popular Colors: Red, gold, orange, purple, white.
Blooming Season: Late summer and early fall.
Soil Preferences: Well-drained, moderately fertile, sandy soil is best.
Climate Preferences: Garden hardy mums are can be wintered over in most of the U.S. Some varieties of exhibition mums may not survive winters outdoors.
Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full sun.
Landscaping Tips: Mums bloom just as other flowers are starting to droop and fade! Mums make for a wondrous fall garden.
Planting: Mums should be planted in the spring, and allowed to become established though the summer. Space the plants 3 to 4 feet apart and water in well. Mums grow in tight clumps, so consider using them as border flowers or in the corners of beds. These also make excellent container plants – you can move them to the front of the home during fall, and keep them elsewhere when they’re not in bloom.
Care:
Some varieties require pinching back growth before the blooming season to encourage large blooms.
Most mums are fairly drought resistant, but water them during longer dry spells.
The hardy varieties of chrysanthemums are as well-known a part of fall as are football games and apple picking. Mums are a favorite container plant, and they also work well as large perennials in bed and borders. These vibrant, low-maintenance plants start blooming in late summer and welcome autumn in bright and jewel tones.
