Chrysanthemums bring spectacular bursts of color to North Carolina gardens when many other flowers have faded.
These hardy perennials thrive in our state’s climate with proper care and timing. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, growing beautiful mums is simpler than you might think.
1. Pick The Perfect Spot
Chrysanthemums crave sunshine! Find a location in your garden that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun works best in North Carolina’s hot climate, giving your mums a break from intense afternoon heat.
Good air circulation prevents fungal diseases common in our humid environment. Choose a spot away from buildings and large shrubs that might block airflow around your plants.
2. Prepare Well-Draining Soil
Soggy roots spell disaster for chrysanthemums in North Carolina’s clay-heavy soil. Mix in plenty of compost or aged manure to improve drainage and add essential nutrients. Your soil should feel crumbly, not sticky, when squeezed.
For extra insurance against root rot, consider raising the planting bed 4-6 inches above ground level. This simple step helps excess water drain away quickly after our famous southern downpours.
3. Choose Hardy Varieties
Not all chrysanthemums stand up to North Carolina’s climate equally well. Garden mums (Dendranthema × grandiflora) generally outperform florist mums in our region. Look for varieties labeled “hardy” to zone 7 or lower.
Popular choices that thrive here include ‘Sheffield Pink’, ‘Clara Curtis’, and ‘Venus’. These survivors return year after year despite summer heat and occasional winter freezes, making them true garden champions for Carolina gardeners.
4. Plant At The Right Time
Spring planting gives chrysanthemums the best chance to establish strong roots before North Carolina’s summer heat arrives. Aim for March or April after the last frost has passed. Your patience will be rewarded with stronger, more floriferous plants.
Avoid the temptation to plant fall-purchased blooming mums unless you can give them extra TLC. These plants rarely have time to develop sufficient roots before winter and often disappoint the following season.
5. Space Them Properly
Chrysanthemums need elbow room! Plant them 18-24 inches apart to prevent overcrowding as they mature. Proper spacing allows air to circulate freely, reducing fungal problems that plague many North Carolina gardens.
When setting plants in the ground, position them at the same depth they grew in their nursery containers. Planting too deeply can cause stem rot, while planting too shallowly leaves roots vulnerable to drying out in our hot summers.
6. Water Wisely
Deep, infrequent watering beats daily sprinkling for chrysanthemums in North Carolina. Aim for about an inch of water weekly, delivered directly to the soil rather than overhead. Early morning watering allows leaves to dry quickly, preventing the fungal issues our humidity encourages.
During summer heat waves, you might need to water more frequently. Watch for wilting as your signal to provide extra moisture. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture through hot Carolina afternoons.
7. Pinch For Bushier Plants
The secret to show-stopping chrysanthemums lies in regular pinching. When plants reach 6 inches tall in spring, snip off the top inch of growth. This seemingly harsh treatment triggers branching, creating fuller plants with more flowers.
Continue pinching new growth every 2-3 weeks until early July in North Carolina. After Independence Day, let your mums grow naturally so they can set flower buds for fall. This timing works perfectly with our long growing season.
8. Feed Them Regularly
Chrysanthemums are hungry plants that benefit from regular feeding in North Carolina’s long growing season. Start with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in spring when new growth appears. Follow up monthly until August with a phosphorus-rich formula (5-10-5) to encourage abundant blooms.
Stop fertilizing by late summer to prevent tender new growth that might be damaged by early frosts. Our state’s first frost typically arrives in October or November, depending on your specific location in the Piedmont or mountains.
9. Guard Against Pests And Diseases
North Carolina’s warm, humid climate creates perfect conditions for aphids and spider mites to attack chrysanthemums. Check the undersides of leaves weekly and spray with insecticidal soap at the first sign of trouble. A strong blast of water often dislodges pests before they become established.
Powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases also threaten mums in our climate. Prevent these problems by watering at soil level and ensuring good air circulation around plants. Remove and destroy any infected leaves promptly.
10. Prepare For Winter
Help chrysanthemums survive North Carolina winters by leaving the stems intact after flowering. The old growth protects the crown from freezing temperatures, especially important in our mountain regions where winters get colder.
Once the ground freezes, apply 3-4 inches of pine straw mulch around plants. This insulating layer prevents the freeze-thaw cycles that can push plants out of the ground. Come spring, cut back the dead stems and remove mulch gradually as temperatures warm up.