For late season color it's hard to beat mums. Also called garden mums or hardy chrysanthemums, these fall favorites come in a rainbow of colors, including red, white, yellow and lavender. Mums make great container plants sitting on the front porch, welcoming the fall season.
Hardy chrysanthemums are also a colorful addition to your perennial beds and with a little care, will come back season after season. Start by selecting a spot in the garden that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight. Mums planted in less than full sun will grow tall and scraggly, with reduced flower size. Next, amend the planting site with organic material, such as Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost, a locally-produced product that will increase soil fertility and drainage. Mums will thrive in well-draining soil, something our clay soils don’t do. Plan to mix in equal amounts of amendments to the existing soil, some ten inches to twelve inches deep. The planting hole should be twice as wide as the container and half again as deep. Place your garden mum in the planting hole, making sure the crown of the plant is at the same level it was in the container. Fill in around the plant with amended soil. Next, mix up a solution of Root Stimulator and water the mum thoroughly. Root Stimulator will help the mum plant establish a strong root system going into winter. Plan to water your newly planted mums every four to five weeks through the winter season. Once the ground is cold, you can add a layer of mulch to help preserve moisture and keep the garden soil stable. Come spring, prune off the dead stems and gradually remove the mulch. Planted in the garden now, hardy mums will offer seasonal color as well as pollinator support for many seasons to come.
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