Maintaining Chrysanthemums: Techniques for annual blooming cultivation of mums
As the first frost of autumn begins to paint the landscape with a touch of winter, it's time to prepare your chrysanthemums, or mums, for the upcoming cold months. These quintessential fall flowers, with their impressive autumn palette, can be overwintered to create dependable beds bursting with seasonal color, even in colder regions.
For those growing mums in containers, it's essential to bring them indoors or to a sheltered, cool but frost-free place such as an unheated garage or basement where temperatures stay between about 32°F and 50°F (0-10°C). This helps avoid freezing damage. Before moving them indoors, cut back the stems to about 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm) above the soil surface. To provide additional protection, wrap pots in insulating materials like burlap, frost barrier fabric, bubble wrap, or blankets if there is a risk of freezing. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to protect the root system.
In colder zones, consider transplanting container mums into a protected garden bed before winter and mulching heavily around the base to insulate the crown against freezing. In very cold climates, it might be safer to treat mums as annuals or propagate them anew rather than trying to overwinter outdoors, as the plants may not survive harsh winters.
Mums are hardy to USDA zones 5-9, with cold tolerance varying among cultivars. Overwintering mums begins in spring, with planting directly into garden soil providing the best chance of survival. If you've purchased mums later in the year, they may require protection over winter.
For garden mums, excess mulch should be removed at the first sign of growth in spring. Tender stems and foliage of potted mums showing new growth should be acclimated outdoors gradually. Dormant container mums should be moved to a cool, well-lit location during winter.
Tonya Barnett, a gardening enthusiast with 13 years of experience, has transformed her backyard into a cut flower garden and regularly shares her gardening journey on YouTube. By following these expert steps, you too can enjoy the beauty of chrysanthemums in your garden for years to come.
[1] Amy Draiss, Digital Community Manager [2] Chrysanthemum Society [3] The Old Farmer's Almanac [4] Garden Myths [5] Better Homes & Gardens
- To ensure the survival of your chrysanthemums during winter, consider moving container mums to a home-and-garden space like an unheated garage or basement if they're grown in containers, where they can be protected from frost while temperatures remain between 32°F and 50°F (0-10°C).
- For those who prefer a home-and-garden style with a blend of gardening, such as planting mums directly into a garden bed in preparation for the colder months, it would be beneficial to protect them by mulching heavily and transplanting them into a protected area before winter sets in.
