When And How To Grow Chrysanthemum Plants?

Chrysanthemums, or early-flowering chrysanthemums, are hardy garden plants that require a sunny, sheltered position in the garden border. They are ideal for the middle of a mixed border and can be grown in greenhouses or pots placed outside in summer. Mums, on the other hand, are hardy perennials best planted in early spring after the last frost date. They can be started indoors from seed 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date.

Chrysanthemums are essential late bloomers and can be easily grown as long as they provide full sun or partial shade, rich soil, and good drainage. To plant them, prepare a soilbed ten days to two weeks before planting, dig and loosen the soil to a depth of 6 inches, break up all lumps, and sprinkle organic matter like peat moss, compost, or well-rotted manure into the soil.

Chrysanthemums can be planted in borders and containers, with flowers occurring from September to November. If you buy chrysanthemums as cuttings, you will need to root them before planting them out. The best time to plant chrysanthemums is when all danger of freezing has passed, but they can be planted almost any time.

To grow chrysanthemums from seeds, start them indoors six to eight weeks prior to the last frost. Plant them in the spring to give them plenty of time to take root, ensuring they will bloom for many years.

In summary, chrysanthemums are essential late bloomers that require a sunny, sheltered position in the garden border. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, depending on the climate and conditions.

Where is the best place to plant chrysanthemums?

Chrysanthemum plants are sold as rooted cuttings or small plants in spring. They can be grown at home after frost has passed, in moist but well-drained soil with compost or manure. Single-bloom chrysanthemums need staking and can be pinched out and ‘disbud’. Tender types can be grown as house plants or in the greenhouse for cut flowers. Chrysanthemums can also be grown in pots and brought undercover in autumn for continued flowering. Monty Don believes that chrysanthemums should be grown more, as they are a popular and versatile plant.

Do all chrysanthemums come back every year?

Chrysanthemum morifolium is a plant species that produces both garden and florist mums. The plant’s return to the ground depends on its stolons, which are runners that release new roots and shoots. Garden mums have stolons and are perennial, while florist mums have few or no stolons and are less likely to survive winter. Mums come in various flower forms, including daisy-like singles and pompoms. They are known for their gold and flower-like appearance, and come in a variety of colors, including cream, yellow, orange, bronze, red, roses, lavenders, and purples.

What month do you plant chrysanthemums?

Chrysanthemums should be planted in early spring after freezing has passed, but can be planted anytime as long as they have time to establish their root system. They should be planted in well-prepared, fertile soil with full early morning sun, and a hole twice the size of the root ball. Organic matter like compost or peat can help with drainage. Mums can thrive on their own, but need light, frequent feedings with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Fertilize when the plants are ready for blooming and discontinue after flower buds are formed.

Are chrysanthemums a perennial or annual?

Garden chrysanthemums are perennials that can survive winter in half of U. S. states, but cannot withstand deep freezes in New England, the Northwest, and West, nor the summer heat in southern Florida, Texas, and southern California. Annual chrysanthemums are primarily used in the florist trade or sold as potted gift plants in stores like supermarkets. They are labeled chrysanthemum morifolium, while annuals belong to the chrysanthemum multicaule species. It is important to check the plant tag to ensure the correct plant variety is being purchased.

How can you tell if a chrysanthemum is annual or perennial?

Perennial chrysanthemums, native to China, have broad, deeply toothed leaves and grow to 1 to 3 feet tall and wide. They provide a second bloom in spring in frost-free zones. Plant mums in well-draining soil as early as possible, but not at the garden center. If temperatures dip below freezing within six to eight weeks of planting, enjoy the show until the plants go dormant and store them in an unheated garage or cellar over winter.

Water them occasionally, and plant them in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Consider using them alongside sedums, asters, and goldenrods for a colorful seasonal display in your garden bed.

How long do chrysanthemums last in the ground?

Mums in the garden can last a few years with proper care. To ensure their longevity, plant them in the spring, in a spot with full sun, and prune them throughout the season. Water them steadily until the first frost, which may kill some growth, which should be cut away. Some gardeners even recommend cutting the plant down to the ground. Mulch the plant heavily, and pull it back when temperatures warm in spring to start seeing rapid new growth.

Chrysanthemums have a lifespan of three to four years, but they may be more susceptible to winter damage with each passing year. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”. Liz Baessler, a gardening editor, has been with the magazine since 2015 and a Senior Editor since 2020. She holds a BA in English from Brandeis University and an MA in English from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Can I plant potted mums in the ground?

Fall chrysanthemums, or “mums”, are a popular and colorful addition to gardens and porches. Available in hues like yellow, bronze, purple, burgundy, white, pink, and red, they can be planted in containers, hanging baskets, or in the ground to fill gaps. However, they are not cold-hardy and may not bloom again in winter. They are typically treated as annuals and added to the compost heap after the first hard frost.

Some “garden” mums, such as single-flowered varieties like ‘Sheffield’ or ‘White Bomb’, are hardy enough to grow perennially in New Hampshire gardens. These plants are typically hardy in Zone 5 but may require extra winter protection. To maximize their chances of survival, plant them in the spring with rich, well-drained soil and full sun.

Garden mums can be made more attractive by pinching them once or twice between Memorial Day and the end of June. To pinch, remove one inch of the tip of each branch or shoot when plants are 6-8 inches tall and pinch a second time when the resulting new shoots reach 6 inches in length. If pinching is not done, mums may become top-heavy and require staking to keep them upright.

Will potted mums come back next year?

To guarantee the annual return of potted mums, it is essential to treat them with the utmost care, regardless of whether they are maintained in the pot or planted in the garden. The following steps should be followed in order to disseminate aesthetic appeal throughout one’s garden.

Do mums like sun or shade?

Full sun mums flourish in direct sunlight, necessitating six to eight hours of direct illumination for optimal growth.

What do you do with potted mums in the winter?

To keep your mum plants alive for next year, bring them indoors by cutting off the brown foliage and stems, wrapping the pot, and bringing them to an unheated garage or shed between 32 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plants are in the ground, move them to a pot before freezing or heavily mulch the surrounding area. Add potting soil and organic fertilizers to the pot for a good start in spring.

In warmer areas like New York, overwintering mums can be done outdoors by using heavy mulch, such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings. Remaining frozen during winter is less damaging to the plant than repeatedly freezing and thawing. Mums can even stay in the ground, provided they receive enough mulch. Cut off dead stems and bury them in mulch shortly after the first frost. By following these steps, you can continue using your mums year after year, ensuring they grow bigger and lusher each year.

Do chrysanthemums spread?

Hardy chrysanthemum plants can grow up to 3 feet tall, depending on the cultivar. They require a full-sun location with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. They should be well-drained and slightly moist. Tall hardy mums require pinching back in late spring when they reach 6 inches tall, every two to three weeks. Regular pinching helps keep plants compact and prevents them from growing too tall.

However, pinching should not be done later than July 4th to ensure good bud development and beautiful blooms before freezing fall or winter temperatures. Shorter varieties don’t need pinching, but pinching can delay flowering.