What better way to bring in the new season than with the queen of fall flowers, the garden mum!
We believe that gardening is more than just a hobby; it’s an experience to connect with nature and stimulate your senses. When it comes to fall, garden mums are some of the largest and brightest flowers! They grow in an assortment of colors, from dark reds and burnt oranges to sunny yellows, purples, and even white. Whether you’re an expert or just starting, garden mums are a smart addition to your autumn landscape because of the impact they can make while being easy to grow.
We grow the hardy perennial variety that, with a little care, will return year after year. Many people are just in it for the spectacular autumn show, in which case you can see the garden mum as an annual, and you’ll still get a fantastic display.
Giving Your Mums the Best Start
Garden mums are generally not difficult to grow, but a little love goes a long way. When it’s time to plant, remember these tips:
- Soil: Mums react well to good-quality soil. To thrive, they need well-drained soil that allows their roots to breathe. If your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it with Daddy Pete’s planting mix, compost, mulch, or other organic material to improve drainage and add nutrients.
- Sun: They love full sun. For more blooms and healthier plants, use a spot with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Too much shade will result in leggy plants and fewer flowers.
- Water: While they grow well with good drainage, mums also drink a lot. Water frequently, especially during dry spells and when they are actively blooming. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. If you can, avoid overhead watering your mum, as wet foliage can welcome diseases.
- Mulch: This is especially important for garden mums to help them overwinter successfully. Once planted, apply a generous layer of pine needles, shredded bark, or bark mulch around the base of the plant, extending outwards. This acts like a blanket, insulating the roots from freezing temperatures and helping to retain some soil moisture.
Ongoing Care
Once your mums are planted in their new homes, a little ongoing care will ensure they continue to bloom through the fall.
- Deadheading: As your mums burst into bloom, you’ll eventually notice the old or spent flowers. Removing the faded blooms shifts the plant energy into producing more flowers rather than making seeds, resulting in a longer blooming period. It also keeps your plants looking cleaner and alive.
- Dividing: Hardy mums can grow bigger and become crowded over time. Every two to three years, in the spring, it’s a good idea to divide your plants. Gently dig up the clump, separate it into smaller sections (each with roots and shoots), and replant them. This rejuvenates the plants and prevents them from becoming thin in the middle.
- Pinching: (next spring or early next summer, too late for this year) Pinching back the new growth in late spring or early summer encourages bushier plants with more flowering stems. Stop pinching by mid-July to allow time for flower buds to form.
Autumn Displays
Our garden center comes alive with mums in September, offering a kaleidoscope of colors that will bring new energy to your spaces. Imagine a welcoming entryway flanked by pots blooming with bronze and orange mums, or a garden border setting off red and gold flowers.
Garden mums are incredibly versatile for landscaping. Use them in-ground to create a seasonal impact, pot them into mixed containers with other fall favorites, or use them as a standalone flower. As with most growing projects, don’t be afraid to experiment with different color combinations and textures. The beauty of outdoor home projects lies in expressing your own unique style. So, whether you choose to enjoy your garden mums grown as annuals or grown as perennials, everyone will notice the show they put on. Let their flowers be an invitation to live life in the moment this fall.