When it comes to mums, many people buy potted ones as annuals in late summer and autumn, not realizing they can actually thrive as perennials. These potted mums can be planted, but the survival rate is not guaranteed. To increase the chances of mums coming back year after year, one tip is to plant bare root mums sourced from mail orders or other gardeners' divisions. Planting mums in the spring helps them establish themselves and become a permanent fixture in your garden.
While planting late-season potted mums is possible, the larger the plant, the lower the likelihood of successful perennial growth. Larger "basket" mums are often pruned to promote more flower buds, which drains the plant's energy. Once these flowers bloom, the plant is left weakened, especially if planted right before winter, reducing its chances of survival. Additionally, larger potted mums are frequently root bound, further compromising their strength. In contrast, smaller potted mums (in 4- or 6-inch pots) have shown a slightly better survival rate when planted in the fall.
Planting a mum in the springtime means it has time to become acclimated to your garden and to grow strong roots. Although many mums are cold hardy, some varieties are less so, and planting potted mums in autumn can be risky. An early hard frost can make it difficult for the plant to survive that first winter.
Choosing bare root mums
Choosing which bare root mums to plant is one of the most enjoyable spring garden tasks for me. There's a delicious sense of anticipation thinking about late summer turning to autumn when the mums explode into color. One of my favorite suppliers for bare root mums is Bluestone Perennials, which has a wonderful selection including unusual mum types like button mums and football mums. Gilbert H. Wild also sells bare root mums (and many other perennials) for great prices.
Mums have different flowering times: some start blooming in late summer, while others begin flowering in mid or late autumn. Knowing this timing can help you decide where to plant them in your garden based on when they bloom and where you might need some color. Mums also have different growing zones depending on the variety, so make sure you choose mums that are cold hardy for your location.
When you opt for bare root mums in the spring, you open up a world of possibilities that may not be available at your local garden shop. Mail order vendors offer a wider selection, including varieties like button mums and football mums that are hard to find elsewhere. Additionally, you'll find a diverse range of colors beyond the typical white, orange, yellow, pink, and purple commonly seen in stores. Explore unique hues like peach, coral, lavender, burgundy, and bronze to add a touch of novelty to your late-season garden palette.
Planting bare root mums
Spring is the time when bare root mums are typically available for purchase through mail order. These mums are shipped starting in April and often come potted and wrapped. If the vendor has forced blooms, they may already be blooming upon arrival, but these blooms will fade quickly or can be pruned off. Once planted, the mum will follow its natural growth cycle once it establishes itself.
To ensure your bare root mum thrives, provide it with ample sunlight and well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Plant the mum with some compost to give it a healthy start, and water it right after planting. For the first 10 days, water your new mum daily to aid in its establishment. Consistent watering throughout the season is key to encouraging long-lasting blooms. With proper care, your spring-planted bare root mum should bloom on schedule and increase in size each year.
How to Care for Perennial Mums in Spring
As the spring season approaches, it's time to start thinking about caring for your perennial mums. These beautiful flowers may wake up slowly, but with the right care, they will bloom beautifully. Here are some tips to help your mums thrive this spring:
- Look out for young leaves poking up in April, signaling the start of growth.
- Once the stems reach at least 3 inches high and the leaves start forming pairs, it's time to start pinching them back.
- Use your fingernails or garden snips to pinch off the top pair of leaves on the stem. This will promote more budding and branching, resulting in fuller plants with more flowers.
- Remember to divide your perennial mums every two or three years in the springtime to ensure healthy growth.
