They grow best in full sun, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and average humidity levels.
Hardy mums set buds once the nights become longer and flower in the fall for up to eight weeks.
The leaves and flowers of hardy mums are mildly toxic to humans and pets.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Hardy Mum Care
Here are the main care requirements tokeep mums healthy.
However, in the warmer parts of their growing zones, they benefit from some afternoon shade.
Sharp drainage is a must, as soil that remains wet for too long causesroot rot.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Water
Mums like consistent moisture but they do not tolerate soggy soil.
Water whenever the soil dries out about 1 or 2 inches down.
About 1 inch of water per week is considered a minimum.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
They also tolerate heat well and withstand temperatures up to 100F if given ample water.
However, excessive humidity encourages fungal diseases, such asleaf spot.
Fertilizer
Mums are fairly heavy feeders.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in potassium, such as5-10-5.
Types of Hardy Mums
There are numeroustypes of hardy mums.
Based on their flower forms, the plants are divided into 13 different classes.
Pruning
To encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from getting leggy.
pinch mums back when the plants are about 6 inches high.
Pinch each stem back to about 2 to 3 inches above the base and right above a leaf.
Every two to three weeks, pinch back half of any new growth when it reaches 6 inches.
Repot the plant to a larger pot when it becomes root-bound about every two or three years.
Overwintering
In the landscape, garden mums need no winter protection.
Potted plantsshould be winterizedor moved to a cold frame or other sheltered location.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Chrysanthemums have a natural resistance to many insects.
An entire class of natural pesticides incorporatespyrethrin, which is derived from chrysanthemum flowers.
Avoid overhead watering to help prevent soil-borne diseases from spreading.
Fungus only spreads on wet leaves, not dry leaves.
What Do Hardy Mum Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Hardy mums have a bit of a spicy fragrance with a hint of sweetness.
Do this with existing mums in the ground after blooming, as well.
Protect them during freezes while newly planted mums establish their roots in the ground.
Deadheading Hardy Mum Flowers
In addition to pinching for compact and bushier growth with profuse blooms.
spent flowers should be deadheaded to prevent the plant from becoming unkempt and to stimulate continued budding.
This is not a plant-it-and-leave-it specimen.
Yellow Leaves
Yellowing leaves on garden mums often signal a viral or serious fungal disease.
Pinching back the plants will keep the plants from getting too tall and leggy.
ensure to adjust your watering routine based on how much natural rainfall is occurring.
More than 1 inch per week might put your plants at risk of root rot.
Usually, potted gifted mums are florist or exhibition-jot down mums that areunlikely to survive transplanting.
These plants are forced into early bloom and don’t have the necessary root system to overwinter.
Enjoy a gifted mum while it’s in bloom, then discard it.
Garden mums are relatively short-lived perennials, rarely living more than four or five years.
At this point, the root clumps become overgrown and woody, and the plant dies.
Plant these fall-bloomers as annuals in the late summer and fall to replace fading summer-blooming annuals.
Mums also make excellent potted plants for decks and patios.
Chrysanthemum x morifolium.North Carolina University Cooperative Extension.
Chrysanthemum Diseases & Insect Pests.
