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Garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are herbaceous perennials in the daisy family and are stalwarts of the flowering autumn garden.
What is the difference between a hardy mum and a garden mum?
Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums. The group of mums that are hardy actually go by two different common names: garden mums and hardy mums. Garden mums is the wording of choice, and these are the gorgeous flowering plants you see at garden centers in fall displays with pumpkins and gourds.
Do garden mums come back?
They will grow back and your plant won’t look dead in the middle.” Many people buy mums in the fall thinking the plants are annuals. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.
How do you grow a garden mum?
How to grow your best mums Plant mums in spring. Spring is the time to get mums in the ground. Divide frequently. For the most flowers, divide mums every spring. Choose a sunny spot. Always plant hardy mums in full sun and well-drained soil. Fertilize regularly. Mums are heavy feeders. Prepare for winter. Be patient.
Do garden moms come back every year?
Overwintering mums is possible. Because people often think that mums (formally called Chrysanthemums) are at best a finicky perennial, many gardeners treat them as annuals, but this doesn’t have to be the case. With just a little winter care for mums, these fall beauties can come back year after year.
Can mums survive the winter in pots?
Mums can survive light frosts and cold fairly easy, but a hard freeze can kill roots in pots permanently. Once potted mums have endured a hard freeze, their chances for surviving winter are slim. Cut mums back to within a few inches of the soil line before bringing indoors.
How do you tell if a mum is a hardy mum?
5 Things to know about Hardy Mums Mums have Multiple Sets of Flowers. Mums buds under the flowers. Mums have continuous blooms. Water Large Mums at Base to Prevent Splitting. This mum has split. Large mum containers are made of multiple plants. Overwinter Mums can be difficult. Prune mums in the spring. Mum stems are hollow.
Can I plant mums in the ground?
Technically, however, they can be planted in your garden any time before the first frost of fall. This means you can try removing the mums from your pot and planting them in the ground in the fall. Plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot and water them thoroughly after planting.
Are mums annuals or perennial plants?
Though technically perennials, mums are often grown as annuals owing to shallow root systems inclined to heave right out of the ground during winter’s freeze-thaw cycles.
What do I do with my mums after they fall?
Shortly after Fall or in late winter, when the mum has finished blooming, ensure you cut the plant’s stem to 6 to 8 inches above ground level. However, if you find the dead stems of winter valuable to wildlife or of interest, you may choose to leave the stems intact until the spring growth develops.
Do mums need full sun?
How Much Sunlight Do Mums Require? Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.
How long do mums last outdoors?
Mums that are on special with fully open flowers are OK to buy, but be aware that they will not last as long in your garden. Depending on weather conditions and mum varieties, you can expect to get a good display of color for four to six weeks. Extended periods of hot weather will age the flowers more quickly.
How do you care for a garden mum?
Mum Care for Fall Full to partial sun. Plant about 2 feet apart in bedding areas. Fertilize with a slow release fertilizer (Osmocote) after planting and water in thoroughly. Water mums from the soil to prevent stem rot. Once the ground freezes and plant becomes dormant, mulch well to prevent the roots from freezing.
Are mums poisonous to dogs?
Mums. Any plant in the chrysanthemum family is toxic for your dog. The plants contain many compounds that are particularly irritating and dangerous to dogs. Common symptoms of mum ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and incoordination.
Can mums live indoors?
Indoor Mum Care: Growing Chrysanthemums Indoors. Growing chrysanthemums indoors is easy and requires little special care beyond watering, good soil and drainage. Once the blooms are spent, you can keep the plant around for its deeply etched foliage.
How do I save my potted mums for next year?
Keep mums indoors until one week before the last expected spring frost. At that time, take the pot outdoors to its summer location for two or three hours, then bring it back indoors to its winter location. Each day, bring the pot outdoors and leave it there for an hour or so longer each time.
How long do potted mums last inside?
Mums are spectacular fall plants that can be brought indoors and used for decorating. Caring for mums indoors is easy and with only a few tips you can keep a mum plant healthy for three to four weeks. They are a big bang for your buck as they are less expensive than most bouquets of flowers.
How do you care for potted mums outside?
How to care for outdoor garden mums After planting, give them a good watering and keep the soil moist everyday until they are established. Mums don’t like to get dry between waterings, so make sure you water them at least every other day and especially if they start looking wilted.
