Did You Know...Factoids About Fall Mums
Chrysanthemums are one of the most popular flowering plants for the fall season. They bring an array of colors and different bloom types to enjoy for many weeks at that time of year. Yes, mums say, "Welcome fall", "Thanksgiving", "Back to School", back to a more structured style of living after a summer of leisure and recreation.
There are some interesting things you might want to know about all the chrysanthemums that will be available soon. First, there are basically 3 major types of mums that can be purchased for our enjoyment. Starting with group #1, Pot Mums are grown in greenhouses and scheduled to be available year 'round and are primarily grown for florists as a potted plant to give as gifts for some special occasion. You can also find them in super market stores. These plants are not typically winter hardy and are available any time of the year.
Then there is group #2 which are the Sub-Zero Mums that will survive the ravages of winter at near or below zero temperatures. The varieties in this group have a limited number of colors and basically bloom about mid-summer. They are extremely hardy to cold temperatures, as the name indicates. These plants are available in the spring of the year and many times will be located in the perennial section of garden centers or nurseries.
Group #3 are the most popular group in the fall and are referred to as Garden Mums and their availability is from about mid-August through October. There are many colors and bloom types plus some varieties that are referred to as "season extenders" because they bloom much later in the fall. By planting different varieties it is possible to have the blooming period extend through the entire fall season.
Garden Mums have varying degrees of cold hardiness with most of the varieties returning year after year for your gardening pleasure. There are a couple of tricks that will help these plants survive our winters. Planting this group early in the fall so the roots have time to become established. Follow up with mulching these plants and some of your tender perennials in December with some leaves or straw will improve how well they over-winter. Ask for planting instructions when you purchase your Garden Mums. These tips will provide suggestions for improving how well these varieties survive the winters we have here in the Miami Valley. Just think, in a couple of weeks it will be September and we will be in another gardening season and we can plant perennials and some winter pansies flanked with the ornamental kale for garden interest right up until Christmas. And don't forget about planting some cabbage, cauliflower and kale this fall for some nutritious home grown produce.
Your Gardening Team
at Meadow View for 33 years!