Fall mums are a staple of Kentucky gardens when autumn arrives, bringing vibrant colors to porches and yards across the Bluegrass State. However, many shoppers rush into buying these beautiful flowers without knowing what to look for, leading to disappointment later.
Understanding the right way to choose healthy mums can save you money and ensure your plants thrive throughout the season. Let’s explore the most frequent mistakes people make so you can pick the perfect mums every time.
1. Picking Plants With Open Blooms Only
Many shoppers grab mums covered in fully opened flowers, thinking they’re getting the best deal. Actually, plants with mostly tight buds will last much longer in your garden.
Fully bloomed mums might look gorgeous at the store, but they’re already past their peak. Buds that haven’t opened yet will continue blooming for weeks, giving you way more color throughout fall.
Look for plants with about 25% open flowers and plenty of closed buds waiting to bloom.
2. Ignoring The Root System
Most people never check what’s happening below the soil surface before purchasing. Roots tell the real story about a plant’s health and future success.
Gently squeeze the pot or peek at drainage holes to see if roots are visible. Healthy roots should be white or light-colored, not brown or mushy.
Plants that are root-bound with tangled, circling roots will struggle to establish themselves properly. Choose mums with healthy, spreading root systems for best results.
3. Choosing The Wrong Pot Size
Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to mum containers, despite what you might think. Small pots dry out super fast, while oversized ones can hold too much moisture.
For typical porch displays, medium-sized pots around 10-12 inches work wonderfully. They provide enough soil to keep roots happy without becoming too heavy to move.
Consider where you’ll place your mums and how often you can water them before selecting a pot size.
4. Forgetting About Kentucky’s Climate
Kentucky’s unpredictable fall weather can swing from warm to frosty overnight, yet shoppers often forget this reality. Not all mum varieties handle our temperature changes equally well.
Hardy garden mums tolerate Kentucky’s climate much better than florist mums bred for indoor use. Garden varieties can even survive mild winters and return next year.
Ask nursery staff which varieties are cold-hardy and suitable for outdoor Kentucky conditions before making your selection.
5. Skipping The Health Check
Rushing through the checkout without examining leaves and stems closely is a recipe for problems. Pests and diseases can hide in plain sight on unhealthy plants.
Check underneath leaves for spots, discoloration, or tiny bugs that indicate trouble. Stems should feel firm, not soft or squishy when touched gently.
Yellow or brown leaves at the bottom might signal watering issues or disease. Pass on any plants showing these warning signs and choose vibrant, green specimens instead.
6. Buying Too Early In The Season
Excitement for autumn decorating makes many Kentucky shoppers purchase mums in late August. Unfortunately, this timing often leads to plants that fade before fall really arrives.
Mums bloom based on day length, and buying too early means flowers might finish before October. Mid-September purchases typically provide the longest display period.
Wait until temperatures start cooling down and you’ll enjoy blooms throughout the entire fall season when they look most appropriate.
7. Overlooking Color Combinations
Grabbing random colors without thinking about how they’ll look together creates a chaotic display. Strategic color planning makes your porch or garden look professionally designed.
Traditional fall colors like rust, burgundy, and gold naturally complement each other beautifully. Adding one unexpected color, like white or pink, creates visual interest.
Consider your home’s exterior colors and existing decorations when selecting mum shades. Coordinated colors create a welcoming, pulled-together appearance that neighbors will admire.
8. Neglecting Watering Needs
Assuming mums need minimal water is a costly mistake many Kentucky shoppers make after bringing plants home. These thirsty flowers actually require consistent moisture to maintain their gorgeous blooms.
Potted mums can need watering once or even twice daily during warm Kentucky Septembers. Soil should feel moist but not waterlogged.
Check moisture levels by sticking your finger an inch into the soil. When it feels dry, water thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom.
9. Missing The Planting Opportunity
Treating mums as temporary decorations means missing out on their perennial potential. Many Kentucky gardeners don’t realize these plants can return year after year with proper planting.
Transplanting mums into garden beds six weeks before first frost gives roots time to establish. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
Cut back spent blooms after frost and mulch heavily for winter protection. With luck and proper care, your mums will reward you with beautiful blooms next fall too.