Every fall, Washington gardeners flock to nurseries for mums—those cheery bursts of orange, gold, and burgundy that make any yard look ready for sweater weather. But not all mums are created equal, and picking the wrong ones can turn your autumn color show into a short-lived flop.
A few easy mistakes—like skipping the roots, shopping too late, or forgetting where the sun hits—can cost you both time and blooms before Halloween rolls around.
1. Choosing Mums Already In Full Bloom
Plants covered in open flowers might look tempting, but they won’t last long in your Washington garden. Mums with tight buds showing just a hint of color will bloom for weeks once you plant them.
Full-bloom plants have already used most of their energy. Look for specimens with mostly closed buds and plenty of green foliage instead.
Your patience pays off with longer-lasting autumn beauty that extends well into October.
2. Ignoring Root Health Before Purchase
Many shoppers never check what’s happening below the soil surface. Gently tip the pot and peek at the roots to see if they’re white and healthy or brown and mushy.
Root-bound plants with roots circling tightly may struggle to establish in your Washington garden. Diseased or rotting roots spell disaster no matter how pretty the flowers look.
Spending thirty seconds on this check saves you from bringing home a dying plant.
3. Buying Too Late In The Season
Waiting until mid-October means you’ll find picked-over selection and stressed plants. Early September shopping in Washington gives mums time to settle before frost arrives.
Late-season bargains often look sad because they’ve sat outside through wind and temperature swings. Plants purchased early establish stronger roots and handle our Pacific Northwest weather changes better.
Plan your mum shopping around Labor Day weekend for best results and healthiest options available.
4. Selecting The Wrong Variety For Washington Climate
Not all mums handle our cool, wet autumns equally well. Garden mums bred for our region resist mold and handle moisture better than decorative varieties meant for warmer climates.
Ask nursery staff which cultivars perform best in western Washington’s conditions. Hardy varieties labeled for zones 5-8 typically survive our weather patterns without turning to mush.
Choosing climate-appropriate plants means less frustration and more successful fall displays year after year.
5. Forgetting To Check For Pests And Disease
Bringing home bugs or fungus creates headaches for your entire garden. Examine leaves carefully for spots, webbing, or tiny insects hiding underneath.
Powdery mildew shows up as white patches on foliage, while aphids cluster on stems and buds. Spider mites leave fine webbing between leaves that’s easy to miss without close inspection.
Healthy plants have clean, unblemished leaves and no signs of unwanted hitchhikers tagging along home with you.
6. Overlooking Proper Size And Shape
Leggy, lopsided plants rarely fill out nicely even with good care. Quality mums have compact, rounded shapes with foliage growing evenly all around the base.
Tall, stretched-out stems indicate the plant didn’t get enough light or proper pinching during growth. Bare spots and uneven branching won’t magically improve after you buy them.
Choose bushy, well-proportioned specimens that already look full and balanced for instant Washington garden appeal.
7. Skipping Questions About Care Requirements
Assuming all mums need identical treatment leads to disappointing results. Some varieties prefer more water while others tolerate drier conditions better in Washington’s variable fall weather.
Staff at good nurseries know which plants work best in sun versus shade and how often to fertilize. Taking two minutes to ask questions prevents weeks of struggling with unhappy plants.
Understanding specific needs before purchasing sets you up for success rather than guesswork and frustration later on.