Mums
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We’re kicking off fall flower facts with another seasonal favorite—Mums! Mums are one of the many things that say it’s fall! They signify shorter days and cooler weather and remind us it’s time for our favorite pumpkin-spiced recipes.
Mums are a perfect way to extend your outdoor garden for another season. This late-summer to fall bloomer will brighten your landscape until winter temperatures take over. They come in numerous colors, offering bright blossoms that bloom for weeks. Mums grow fast, and their flower color intensifies in the cool air.
Generally, most people use this plant as an annual. But several varieties can be grown as perennials. Although, mums are less likely to survive winter because unless they are planted in spring, their roots do not have enough time to become established.
Mums are part of the Aster family and have the characteristic daisy-shaped flowers. Originally native to China, mums now come in numerous varieties with two main types. One type is hardy mums, also known as (aka) garden mums. The other is florist mums, aka florists daisies, cutting mums, and decorative mums.
Hardy mums are just what they sound like, mums designed for outdoor use and planted as perennials or annuals. Garden mums can also be potted as an annual. But they would need to be moved to a sheltered outdoor location or placed in the garden to survive as a perennial.
Flower Facts
| Common Name | Mums |
| Botanical Name | Chrysanthemums |
| Recommended Planting Time | Fall |
| Bloom Time | Late summer to fall |
| Growth Habit | Mounding |
| Light Requirements | Full-Sun |
| Moisture Requirements | Water often when new, 1-2 inches per week when established or in warmer weather. |
| Colors | Yellow, orange, bronze, white, pink, purple, red, lavender, rust, gold, cream, & burgundy. |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Hardy | Depends on the variety. |
| Size | 1 – 3’ tall; 1 – 2’ wide |
| Spacing | 10 – 14’’ |
On the other hand, florist mums are hybrids bred for show and exhibition. They are grown in greenhouses and kept indoors. Garden and florist mums include anemone, pompom, spoon, decorative, daisy, quills, and spider mums. Check the labels to know which variety you are buying and to ensure it is suitable for your location. But, with all these varieties, we know that one of these options will make a great addition to your fall landscape.
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