Garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are daisy-like herbaceous perennials. These jewel-toned beauties are resilient and may be cut back in the summer to postpone flowering until October when most summer blooms have faded. In the first year, these fast-growing plants should bloom. Depending on the variety and habitat, from early September to mid-October.
Are Garden Mums Evergreen?
Mums are not evergreen even in warmer climates. Mums require a die back period this time is shortened but not eliminated in warmer climates.
Nothing screams autumn like chrysanthemums, sometimes known as mums, and their vibrant hues are a sight to see. You may choose from small buttons to large, opulent flower heads in bright yellow and a variety of other colors. When your garden begins to seem melancholy at the conclusion of the summer, put in step mums to provide bright color. They don’t mind some cold and have few natural pests.
Because of the fragrant leaves, rodents and deer often avoid them as a food source. This helps them to be more resilient. However, if you have ever planted garden mums and then not seen them return the following spring, this is why: Chrysanthemums are perennial plants; however, in order for them to bloom again the following year, they must be planted at the start of the growing season. If you don’t plant mums until they become widely accessible in nurseries and garden stores in the fall, they won’t have enough time to get established themselves before the arrival of winter weather. However, if you plant them earlier in the year, particularly in the spring, they will have more time to adjust to their new surroundings and will be more likely to return to say hello to you when winter gives way to spring.
Are Garden Mums Tough?
Mums are tough in zones 4-8 and with proper care will return every year. Read more about hardiness zones in this post.
Planting mums in the spring is suggested if you want them to be hardy. Mums sold in fall nurseries have been groomed to induce the growth of buds that will bloom in September. As a consequence, these moms are using too much energy on blooming rather than root formation. If you plant them in the garden in late summer or early fall, there is no guarantee that they will have enough time to establish themselves. In warmer areas, a little deadheading after bloom will be enough for most mums. However, in locations with freezing winters, the alternate freezing and thawing would heave the plant out of the soil and destroy the roots. This is not an issue in warmer climates.
How Often Do Garden Mums Bloom?
When it comes to keeping your mums flowering longer this autumn, a few easy steps may go a long way toward providing long-lasting flowers! Mums are perhaps the most popular plant for autumn. They provide a lot of interest to fall displays with their rich, bold colors and beautiful leaves. And, since you can buy them in almost any hue these days, it’s simpler than ever to locate them to match any theme or décor. However, the lovely blossoms of mums never seem to linger long enough. When you think about how costly flowers are to buy, it might be a little disheartening to see them fade away well before Autumn arrives. Mums, or Chrysanthemums as they are technically named, have a short blooming cycle. However, there are a few crucial care techniques that may prolong their blooming seasons – and keep them looking wonderful all through the autumn decoration season. Even better, if you choose a hardy mum at the time of purchase, you may overwinter it for use the following year.
How to Keep Mums Blooming Longer
Purchase budding mums rather than blooming mums. Keeping mums blooming all through the fall season begins with the purchase. Or, what stage the blooms are in when you acquire them. Large, gorgeous plants in bloom in the store will soon fade. Mum flowers may endure up to two weeks after they bloom. Purchasing a budding mum before it reaches full bloom will extend flower time.
Keep plants cool and shady to keep mums flowering longer. Chrysanthemums adore the sun. The sun and heat hasten the blooming cycle of the mum. Quickly! Mums bloom best in full sun and hot temperatures. The heat and stress of sunlight shorten the life of blooms. Mums bloom longer when partially shaded. Mums grown in partial shade may keep their flowers for two weeks longer than mums grown in full sun. Mums thrive on partially shaded patios, porches, or under a tree canopy. Find more plants that love the shade in our Best Perennials for Shade Garden post!
How to Keep Mums Blooming Longer by Watering Plants Finally, keep your mums hydrated. How you water your flowers may determine how long and vibrant they last. Inconsistent watering reduces the length of a mum’s bloom. Autumn’s cooler temperatures and dryer, less humid air help to wick moisture faster.
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