annual vs perennial mums

Are Mums Perennials or Annuals? Chrysanthemums or mums are tender perennials that are often grown as annuals. If hardy enough, they can be grown as perennial, depending on the climate and growing conditions. There are hardy cultivars of mums available for most climates.

Are there annual and perennial mums?

Though technically perennials, mums are often grown as annuals owing to shallow root systems inclined to heave right out of the ground during winter's freeze-thaw cycles.

What type of mums come back every year?

Annual Mums

There are two types of mums: garden mums, which are treated as annuals and hardy perennial mums. Garden mums are the big, colorful annuals sold in pots each fall across the United States. When selecting garden mums, look for full, healthy plants that still have some tightly closed buds.

Do annual mums come back?

They will grow back and your plant won't look dead in the middle." Many people buy mums in the fall thinking the plants are annuals. These people toss the mums in the trash once the blooms have faded. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.

What is the difference between garden mums and hardy mums?

Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums. ... The group of mums that are hardy actually go by two different common names: garden mums and hardy mums. Garden mums is the wording of choice, and these are the gorgeous flowering plants you see at garden centers in fall displays with pumpkins and gourds.

Should you deadhead mums?

Deadhead often for lasting blooms. Take off wilted blooms and dead stems/leaves not only makes your mums look more beautiful, it helps your plant to bloom longer. Once your mums stop blooming, you can place them in the ground outdoors once the weather starts to warm.

How late can I plant mums in the fall?

Overwintering is more easily achieved in your garden if the mum bulbs are planted in the spring with plenty of time to root. If you're planting for next fall, the best time to plant mums is after the last frost.

Can you leave mums in pots?

Mums do best in well-drained soil so use a potting mix (Vigoro All Purpose Potting Mix, $7, The Home Depot) in your container. If you are growing mums in pots for a single season, you can mix them in with other plants in a large container.

Do mums like sun or shade?

How Much Sunlight Do Mums Require? Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.

How do I save my potted mums for next year?

Cut mums back to within a few inches of the soil line before bringing indoors. Before bringing indoors, cut the mum back a few inches above the potted soil line. Next, for best success, store in a cool corner of the basement or a semi-heated garage. The goal is to allow them to go dormant without freezing.

How long do potted mums last?

Garden mums may be grown in containers, or planted in beds with existing shrubs and flowers. Flowers generally last about two or three weeks, depending on the outdoor temperatures and how far along the blooming process was when the plants were purchased.

Can mums survive a freeze?

Most garden mums should be able to endure a light fall frost. Cover the plants at night when freeze warnings are in effect. ... However, if you are in a cold climate, leaving the dead foliage on the plants has been found to help the plant survive colder temperatures better than pruned plants.

Can mums survive the winter in pots?

You can leave your garden mums in the ground during winter, especially with a layer of mulch in the cooler zones. However, because potted plants are more susceptible to cold damage, bring your mums indoors for winter safekeeping. ... Keep mums outdoors until the foliage and flowers die back after the first frost.

Can you plant hardy mums in the fall?

If you're using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you're using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they're blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.

How long do garden mums last?

Mums that are on special with fully open flowers are OK to buy, but be aware that they will not last as long in your garden. Depending on weather conditions and mum varieties, you can expect to get a good display of color for four to six weeks. Extended periods of hot weather will age the flowers more quickly.

Can mums grow in shade?

Mums thrive in full sun but can handle a bit of shade. Generally, flowering will be most profuse if they are grown in full sun. However, in warm climates, the plants often appreciate some shade during the heat of the afternoon.

Do mums flower more than once?

Chrysanthemums do not normally bloom twice. They put on foliage growth throughout the spring and summer, then produce buds in the late summer and fall. ... If you purchase these, it's possible to get them to flower twice by pruning them back.

When should I buy fall mums?

Mid-September is the earliest time you should consider buying mums. However, each year the longer and hotter summers are pushing that date later and later into September, even into the month of October. As a rule, we at Southern Living recommend "buying plants as they start to break bud. You'll maximize bloom time.

When Should mums be pruned?

Really, the last part of June up to July 4th is a great time, but doing it much more into July risks your mum from not being able to re-produce blooms by Autumn's arrival. What ya do is quite simple: Pinch or take scissors and trim back your mums until they are about 4-6″ high from the ground.

Can I plant potted mums in the fall?

Plant 6-8 weeks before first fall frosts. Choose healthy potted chrysanthemums with no sign of wilt or browning. Ideally, they are budding but not yet blooming. They must be winter hardy.

How do you winterize mums?

If you cut the mums back to the ground, fewer stems will grow next year. After this, when wintering mums, it is best to provide a heavy layer of mulch over the plant after the ground has frozen. The mulch for winterizing mums can be straw or leaves. This layer of mulch helps to keep the ground insulated.