Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums. Cut-flower chrysanthemums, like spider mums or football mums, are perennials in Zones 5 to 9, and these types are becoming easier to find for sale online.
How do you get mums to come back every year?
After the foliage of the plant has died back, you will need to cut it back. Cut back the stems of the mums to 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm.) above the ground. Leaving a little bit of the stems will ensure that next year you have a full plant, as the new stems will grow from these trimmed stems.
What is the difference between perennial and annual mums?
The perennial, fall-flowering form is Chrysanthemum x morifolium and the annual variety is Chrysanthemum multicaule. If your plant came without identification, note that the annuals have thinner, strappy leaves that are not as toothed as the perennials, which are wide and deeply notched.
Do potted mums come back?
You will have some buds on them by then, but don’t worry. 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. These people toss the mums in the trash once the blooms have faded.
How do you winterize mums?
When you see the first hard frost heading your way, take your chrysanthemum into your basement or an unheated garage. You want to place it somewhere where the temperature stays between 32 and 55°F, so your plant can go dormant. Water it lightly. You don’t want the soil to be too wet.
How do I save my potted mums for next year?
Cut mums back to within a few inches of the soil line before bringing indoors. What is this? Before bringing indoors, cut the mum back a few inches above the potted soil line. Next, for best success, store in a cool corner of the basement or a semi-heated garage.
Can you keep mums in pots over the winter?
Overwinter your mums in pots. If you’re not ready to give up your beautiful fall blooms, you can overwinter mums in pots as long as they’re hardy mums. Fall-blooming mums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) grow in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 9, and they’re often grown in pots as annuals in other zones.
Can garden mums survive winter?
Although garden mums are often called hardy mums, they may not survive the winter if drainage is poor or if you live in an extremely cold climate. If your mums survive the winter, you’ll see new growth developing around the base of the plant in early spring.
