I’ve always admired the vibrant mums in my mom’s garden, so I finally decided to give them a shot on my own. That year, I planned my entire garden around the assumption that mums were short-lived – I prepped a bunch of other flower seeds, ready to replace them once their blooms faded.
Little did I know, those cheerful flowers had other plans!
Not only did they stick around, but they also produced an abundance of vibrant flowers that were well beyond my expectations. I quickly realized that mums aren’t just a one-and-done type of plant. They’re in it for the long haul and they can keep your garden lively for weeks, if not months, into the fall.
Honestly, their resilience caught me completely by surprise, and now they’re a staple in my garden every year.
If you’re thinking about adding these beauties to your space, here’s what you need to know about their longevity.
You Can Grow Early-Blooming Mums
What I didn’t know when I first planted chrysanthemums is that there are actually two types you can choose from: early-blooming and late-blooming mums.
If you’re looking to keep your garden colorful as summer fades and fall arrives, early-blooming chrysanthemums are a fantastic choice. The days may be shorter, but these mums don’t mind!
That’s because they are sensitive to daylight and start blooming when the temperatures drop. For early-blooming mums, they begin setting buds when daylight is around 14 hours, and they usually start showing off their blooms about eight weeks later.
So, if you plant them in early spring, you can expect a breathtaking flower display by early September!
These flowers typically last about six weeks, which is perfect for extending the color in your garden through fall. Depending on your location (zones 5 through 9 are ideal), you might even see them starting to bloom as early as mid-August.
I would recommend you sow seeds indoors about four to six weeks before the last frost of spring, then move them outside once the frost threat has passed. You can also plant them directly in the garden in spring, but they might not sprout as well.
Some great early-blooming varieties to consider are Chrysanthemum ‘Nantyderry Sunshine,’ Chrysanthemum ‘Misty Cream,’ and Chrysanthemum ‘Allouise’ – they’ll definitely spruce up your fall garden!
You might be interested in: Can You Really Grow Already-Dead Mums In Your Garden?
Or Opt For Late Bloomers
Alternatively, if you’re looking to brighten up your fall garden with pots, go for late-blooming chrysanthemums. I was surprised to see that these hardy beauties continued to look lovely all the way through winter!
Late-blooming mums typically start showing their colors in late September or early October and can bloom for four to six weeks.
Honestly, my garden looked more alive in the chilly months than it ever did in summer, all thanks to these stunning blooms!
Just like their early-blooming cousins, you can start late-blooming mums indoors before moving them outside. They need about 16 weeks to get going, so plan to start your seeds in late May or early June.
And once they’re ready, you can transplant them to their pots, where they’ll keep on growing and thriving.
Some top picks for late-blooming varieties are Chrysanthemum ‘Daniel Cooper,’ Chrysanthemum ‘Starlet,’ and Chrysanthemum ‘Jante Wells’ (my personal fave is definitely Starlet).
Pick your mums carefully and plant them based on their type. They’re super easy to care for, and the payoff is totally worth it!
Now, my mom’s the one admiring my mums!
Also read: Discover The World’s 20 Most Beautiful Flowers & Learn How To Grow Them In Your Garden