Chrysanthemums, or mums, are the undisputed stars of the autumn garden. Their vibrant domes of color brighten up porches and landscapes just as other flowers begin to fade. But as winter approaches, many gardeners wonder: is this the end for my beautiful mums? The good news is, with a little care, you can often enjoy those same plants year after year.
Let’s explore how you can help your mums survive the winter and return with new growth in the spring.
Are Your Mums Annuals or Perennials?
The first step is to understand what kind of mum you have. This is the single most important factor in determining if it can survive the winter in your garden.
- Floral Mums (Treated as Annuals): These are the mums you often see in tight, perfect mounds at grocery stores and floral shops. They are cultivated for a single, spectacular burst of blooms. While technically perennials, their root systems are often not developed enough to survive a cold winter. They put all their energy into flowering, leaving little for root growth.
- Hardy or Garden Mums (Perennials): These are sold at garden centers, often earlier in the season. They are specifically bred to be planted in the ground and survive cold weather. They have stronger root systems and are a much better bet for long-term survival. If you buy a mum in the spring or summer, it’s likely a hardy variety.
How to Tell the Difference:
Check the plant tag. It should specify if the mum is a perennial or hardy variety. If there’s no tag, consider where you bought it. Mums from a garden nursery are more likely to be perennials than those from a supermarket.
Planting for Success
Giving your mums the right start is crucial for their survival.
Timing is Everything: The best time to plant hardy mums in the ground is in the spring. This gives the plant the entire growing season to establish a deep, strong root system before winter arrives. If you buy mums in the fall, get them in the ground as soon as possible, at least six weeks before the first hard frost. This gives their roots a chance to anchor in.
Location, Location, Location: Mums need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. They also require well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy clay, amend it with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage. Poor drainage is a major cause of mums not surviving the winter, as frozen water can rot the roots.
Overwintering Your Mums
Once your mums are planted, a few simple steps can protect them from the winter cold.
1. Don’t Prune in the Fall: It’s tempting to cut back the brown foliage after your mums have finished blooming. Resist the urge! The dead stems and leaves provide natural insulation for the plant’s crown (where the stems meet the roots) throughout the winter. Wait until you see new growth at the base in the spring to trim away the old, dead stems.
2. Add a Layer of Mulch: After the first few hard frosts and when the ground has frozen, apply a loose layer of mulch around the base of your plants. Use materials like straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips. A layer about 3-4 inches thick will provide excellent insulation for the roots without trapping excess moisture.
3. What About Potted Mums? It’s very difficult for mums in pots to survive the winter outdoors, as their roots are exposed to freezing temperatures from all sides. If you want to save a potted mum, your best bet is to move it to a sheltered, unheated location like a garage or shed once it goes dormant. Water it sparingly—just enough to keep the soil from completely drying out—about once a month.
Spring and Summer Care for Returning Mums
When spring arrives, your work pays off.
- Pruning: Once you see new green shoots emerging from the base of the plant, you can cut back all the old, dead stems from the previous year.
- Pinching: To encourage a bushy, compact plant loaded with flowers (instead of a tall, leggy one), you’ll need to “pinch” your mums. Starting in late spring when the plant is about 6 inches tall, pinch off the top 1-2 inches of each new shoot. Repeat this process every few weeks until early July. This encourages the plant to branch out, creating more stems for more flowers.
- Fertilizing: Feed your mums with a balanced fertilizer in the spring to support healthy growth. Follow the product instructions for application rates.
By following these tips, you can give your mums a great chance of becoming a permanent and beautiful part of your garden, returning each fall with a spectacular show of color.
