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Chrysanthemums are the ultimate fall flower thanks to their long-blooming growth cycles and hardy nature. If you find yourself wanting to add more color to your fall garden or want pots full of long-lasting flowers, you really can’t go wrong with mums. With so many unique varieties to choose from, the most challenging part about planting mums will be choosing which ones you like the best! Read on to learn about the different flower varieties and how to care for hardy perennial mums in the fall.
A good rule of thumb when planting mums is to mix them in with early blooming plants. This way, you’ll have a non-stop flower show in your garden as the mums will start to bloom just as your summer flowers begin to fade. However, mums prefer slightly acidic soil, so be sure to plant them among other plants with similar soil preferences.To get those beautiful, showy flowers, mums will need to be fertilized regularly throughout the growing season. They can get leggy; however, for a bushier appearance, you’ll want to pinch back the flower buds as they start to emerge in mid-summer. For larger and more colorful blooms, plant your mums in full to partial sun, allowing them between 6 and 8 hours of bright sun a day, depending on variety. Mums are thirsty plants, and they’ll require an inch of water per week at the start of the growing season; increase watering as frequently as two or three times a week once you start to see flower buds.
Decorative mums are also known as florist mums. They would be better used as a potted mum and treated as an annual. These flowers have large, showy blooms and can either grow petals that incurve (curve toward the flower’s center) or reflex (curve away from the flower’s center). Some examples include Coral Charm and Tobago. Perennial mums added to your garden ensures you get that fantastic burst of late-season color year after year. With so many varieties to choose from, it can feel overwhelming, but at Westwood Gardens, we have many attractive options that we’re sure you’ll love! Here are some varieties of perennial mums we carry.
Dazzling Stacy chrysanthemum is a gorgeous single bloom variety, closely resembling a daisy with stunning gold and orange color, which pops against its dark green foliage. This mum grows in a beautiful mounded growth pattern as a herbaceous perennial, making it an ideal filler plant in a container, not just in the garden. The Dazzling Stacy can grow as tall as 18 inches in height with a spread also of 18 inches. With proper care and the right growing conditions, this plant can grace your garden for up to 10 years.
Gretchen chrysanthemum produces a showy double bloom flower. The Gretchen variety throws bright orange flowers that will make your garden look healthy and thriving while still providing an attractive fall look. Another herbaceous perennial, this variety’s recommended uses are for mass planting, border edging, and filler plants in containers. It can grow as tall as 18 inches with a spread of 20 inches.
Helen chrysanthemum offers another beautiful fall color option with its deep red flowers. The fragrant light green foliage provides a fern-like appearance and retains its color long into the fall. The Helen variety can grow as tall as 18 inches with a spread of 24 inches.
The wonderful thing about chrysanthemums is that they are remarkably low-maintenance plants. They can thrive even in urban populations and remain unaffected by city pollution. Although we’re captivated by the gorgeous blooms of this versatile plant, deer and other garden pests are completely uninterested (which is a bonus). After the blooms are spent in the fall, be sure to cut back the flower stalks to about six inches and cover the roots with a layer of mulch to protect them from the colder temperatures. Established chrysanthemums should be dug up and divided every two to three years to prevent overcrowding and keep your plants as healthy and vibrant as possible. Stop into Westwood Gardens and shop our selection of fall mums today![/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
