Fall mums bring vibrant color to Colorado gardens when summer flowers fade away. But picking the right ones can be tricky, especially with our unique mountain climate and unpredictable weather.
Many gardeners make simple mistakes that lead to disappointing results or plants that don’t survive our chilly nights.
1. Ignoring Colorado’s Early Frost Dates
Colorado’s unpredictable weather can surprise even experienced gardeners. Frost often arrives earlier than expected in mountain areas, sometimes hitting in late September or early October.
Many people buy mums too late in the season, giving them no time to establish roots before freezing temperatures strike. Your plants need at least three to four weeks of mild weather to settle in properly.
Check your local frost dates before shopping and buy accordingly.
2. Picking Mums Based Only On Color
Walking into a garden center and grabbing the prettiest mum might seem like a great idea. However, not all varieties handle Colorado’s dry air and temperature swings equally well.
Some types are bred specifically for indoor displays and won’t survive outside. Hardy garden mums have been developed to withstand cold nights and challenging conditions, while florist mums are meant for temporary enjoyment indoors.
Always ask staff which varieties work best outdoors in your area.
3. Buying Plants Already In Full Bloom
Those gorgeous, fully blooming mums catch everyone’s eye at the store. But plants covered in open flowers have already used much of their energy and won’t last as long in your garden.
Look for mums with tight buds just starting to show color instead. Plants with mostly buds will bloom longer and adjust better to your yard’s conditions.
You’ll enjoy weeks more color by choosing buds over full blooms every time.
4. Forgetting About Altitude Challenges
Living at high elevation creates unique growing conditions that many gardeners overlook. Colorado’s intense sunlight, low humidity, and thin air stress plants differently than at sea level.
Mums need extra attention to watering at altitude because moisture evaporates faster from both soil and leaves. Plants also face more dramatic temperature drops between day and night, which can shock tender varieties.
Choose tougher cultivars and plan for more frequent watering in mountain communities.
5. Skipping The Root Check Before Buying
What’s happening below the soil matters just as much as the pretty flowers on top. Root-bound mums with tangled, circling roots struggle to establish themselves after planting.
Gently tip the pot and peek at the roots before purchasing. Healthy roots should be white or light-colored and spread throughout the soil, not wrapped tightly in circles.
Plants with severely tangled roots may never thrive, no matter how well you care for them afterward.
6. Underestimating Water Needs In Dry Climate
Colorado’s arid climate fools many newcomers who assume fall means less watering. Actually, mums need consistent moisture, especially while establishing themselves in your garden.
Dry winds and low humidity pull moisture from plants faster than in humid regions. Even though temperatures cool down, the air remains thirsty and will quickly dry out your mums’ soil.
Plan to water regularly and check soil moisture daily during the first few weeks after planting.
7. Placing Mums In Wrong Sun Exposure
Sun requirements seem straightforward until you factor in Colorado’s intense high-altitude rays. What works as full sun in other states might actually scorch plants here.
Mums generally love sunshine but can suffer in Colorado’s blazing afternoon heat, especially in warmer areas like the Front Range. Morning sun with afternoon shade often works better than all-day exposure.
Watch how light moves across your planting area throughout the day before deciding where to place them.
8. Not Planning For Wind Protection
Strong winds regularly whip through Colorado, especially along the Front Range and in mountain valleys. Wind batters mums, breaking stems and drying out flowers faster than you’d expect.
Without protection, your beautiful blooms can look ragged within days of planting. Consider placing mums near walls, fences, or larger plants that block prevailing winds.
Even a small windbreak makes a huge difference in how long your mums stay attractive and healthy throughout fall.