Every fall, you see them everywhere. Big, beautiful, perfectly rounded mounds of color that instantly say “autumn is here!” We all rush out to the garden center, pick up a few of the stunning mums, place them on our porches, and maybe, just maybe, we think “Hey, I’ll plant this in the garden later and have it come back next year!”
And then spring rolls around, and… nothing. That beautiful mum is just a dead stick in the ground.
It’s one of the most common questions we get this time of year, and a source of so much frustration for our customers. You wonder, “Did I do something wrong? Why are they called perennials if they don’t come back?”
Well, I’m here to tell you, it’s not your fault! It’s about understanding the unique life of the mums you buy and giving them the best possible chance to survive our winters. It all starts with knowing the difference between the two main kinds of Chrysanthemums you’ll see.
The Tale of Two Mums:
Garden Mums vs. Floral Mums
Not all mums are created equal, and knowing which one you have is the first step to success.
- Floral Mums: These are the ones often labeled as “Florist’s Chrysanthemums.” They are bred specifically to be a temporary, living bouquet. They are grown in greenhouses under perfect conditions to produce one spectacular, large flush of blooms. They are not bred for winter hardiness, and no matter how much you love them, they are very unlikely to survive once planted in the ground. They are best enjoyed as a temporary, beautiful decoration for your porch or patio.
- Garden Mums: These are the hardy perennial types. They are bred to be a bit tougher and survive winter in the ground, coming back year after year. While we do carry both types of mums in the fall, garden mums arrive first in early September. Their flowers tend to be smaller but more numerous than floral mums, and are usually placed in sunny areas around the garden center.
Why Fall Planting is a Challenge (and How We Beat It)
Even with a hardy garden mum, planting in the fall is a challenge. When the plant is in full bloom, its entire energy is focused on those hundreds of flowers, not on developing a strong root system. The plant is essentially at the end of its life cycle for the year. But with a little extra care, you can trick it into putting that energy into survival.
Here’s your step-by-step guide for planting your fall mums and giving them the best shot at returning in the spring.
- Pick a Good Spot: Mums are sun lovers! They need at least 6 hours of full sun a day to be at their best. Find a location in your garden that gets plenty of sun and has well-draining soil. Mums do not like sitting in soggy soil. Which can lead to root rot.
- Prepare the Soil: Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and just as deep. Amend the soil you dug out with a few handfuls of compost to improve its richness and drainage.
- Loosen the Roots (Crucial!): This is one of the most important steps. Carefully remove the mum from its pot. You will likely see a dense, tangled ball of roots. Gently tease them apart with your fingers or a small trowel. This encourages the roots to spread out into the garden soil instead of staying in their compact ball.
- Use Root Stimulator: Because the plant is focused on blooming, it needs extra je;[p with its roots/ Apply a root stimulator, which is a special formula designed to encourage strong root growth. Follow the directions on the bottle and give your new mum a good drink of this solution right at planting time.
- Plant Correctly: Place the mum in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Fill the hole with your amended soil.
- Water Thoroughly: Give your new mum a good, deep drink of plain water after the initial root stimulator application. This helps settle the soil around the roots and is a vital first step.
Winter Protection: The Key to Their Return
Once your mum is in the ground, a little extra attention will dramatically increase its chances of surviving the winter.
- The Post-Bloom Prune: Once the blooms have faded and turned brown, it’s time for a harsh but necessary haircut. Using clean shears, cut the entire plant back to about 4-6 inches above the ground. This might feel severe, but it signals to the plant to stop putting energy into those fading blooms and to redirect its resources into its root system for winter survival.
- Mulch for Insulation: Now, tuck your mum in for the winter. Apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch, such as pine straw or shredded bark, around the base of the plant. This acts as a protective blanket for the shallow root system. Insulating it from sudden cold snaps and he;ling it retain moisture.
- Cold-Snap Protection: Even with a good layer of mulch, covering the plant with breathable frost cloth the night of cold-snaps can be the difference maker, or at least added insurance. If you see predicted temperatures of below 30 degrees, the crown and roots can suffer frost burn. Act accordingly!
The Right Plant, Right Care
While nothing is guaranteed, understanding the difference between a garden mum and a floral mum, and giving your fall-planted mums the right care, will make a world of difference. Your mums have a fighting chance to come back and be a beautiful, permanent part of your Louisiana Garden.
Want to give year-round mums a try? Visit any Louisiana Nursery location this autumn to see our huge selection of Fall Favorites like mums, pumpkins, decor, & more!
