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The best time to plant mums is in the spring because this gives the roots time to establish themselves. Mums can be added to gardens later on in the year, but the flowers will become more established if given adequate time to grow before the fall. The early to mid-spring is the best time to plant mums.
How late can you plant hardy mums?
Most gardeners plant mums too late in the fall for the plants to survive over winter. Some of the mums may come back the next year if they are mulched. The shallow-rooted mums that are planted late in fall while in full bud or flower just do not have enough time to establish before winter sets in.
Do hardy mums come back every year?
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.
When should I plant my hardy mums?
If you’re using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you’re using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they’re blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.
Can I plant potted 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.
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.
What can I do with hardy mums?
Many gardeners plant their hardy mums too late in the fall for them to overwinter successfully. These perennials have shallow root systems, and as the top few inches of soil freeze and thaw through winter, that expansion and contraction can actually push newly planted hardy mums out of soil.
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.
Do potted mums come back?
Potted mums are autumn classics, with late-season color that boosts curb appeal or brightens a Thanksgiving table. Treat your potted mums with care, and they’ll come back whether you maintain them in the pot or plant them out in the garden.
How do you know if you have hardy mums?
5 Things to know about Hardy Mums Garden Mums are Hardy Mums. A Garden Mum is a Hardy Mum. Purchase Mums When the Temperature Cools Down to Get Longer Lasting Flowers. Mums have Multiple Sets of Flowers. Water Large Mums at Base to Prevent Splitting. Overwinter Mums can be difficult.
When should I buy fall mums?
{two} Mums are a cool season fall flowering perennial so the best time to purchase them is mid-September when the temperatures start to drop. Many growers force the plants to grow early so they look pretty displayed in the big box stores.
How big do hardy mums get?
A: Hardy chrysanthemum plants can grow 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the cultivar, with a spread sometimes equal to the height. To keep them growing optimally, they should be planted in a full-sun location that receives at least six hours of direct sun per day.
What kind of mums come back every year?
Perennial Mums Water well throughout the growing season. Like annual mums, you’ll get the best blooms if they’re planted in full sun, but they will tolerate partial shade. This encourages them to grow fuller and bushier, and flower later into the season. Like annual mums, perennial mums benefit from deadheading.
Do mums do better in pots or in the ground?
—your best bet is to overwinter them in their containers in a protected space (above freezing, never letting the soil dry out). Then, you can plant them in spring, providing lots of time to establish strong roots before their first winter in the ground.
Can mums survive frost?
Most garden mums should be able to endure a light fall frost. Cover the plants at night when freeze warnings are in effect. However, if you are in a cold climate, leaving the dead foliage on the plants has been found to help the plant survive colder temperatures better than pruned plants.
Are potted mums annuals or perennials?
There are potted florist mums, which look just like garden (hardy) mums and even share the same botanical name (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)—and they’re perennials, but their survival depends on when you get them and where you live. Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums.
