Fall mums are a Pennsylvania tradition that brighten up porches, gardens, and entryways with bursts of orange, yellow, red, and purple blooms. Picking the perfect mums can feel exciting, but making the wrong choices might leave you with wilted flowers or wasted money.
Knowing what mistakes to avoid will help you select healthy, vibrant mums that last through the entire autumn season. Let’s explore the common pitfalls shoppers face so you can bring home the best mums possible.
1. Don’t Buy Mums That Are Already Fully Bloomed
Walking past rows of gorgeous, fully-opened mums can be tempting, but resist the urge to grab them. Flowers that have already reached peak bloom won’t last as long once you get them home.
You want mums with plenty of tight buds that are just starting to show color. These buds will gradually open over the next few weeks, giving you a longer display of beautiful fall colors.
Think of it like buying green bananas instead of yellow ones—patience pays off with extended enjoyment.
2. Don’t Ignore The Root System
Many Pennsylvania shoppers focus only on the flowers and forget to check what’s happening below the soil. A healthy root system makes all the difference between thriving mums and struggling ones.
Gently tip the pot and peek at the drainage holes. Roots should look white or light-colored, not brown or mushy.
If roots are circling tightly around the pot’s edge or poking out excessively, the plant might be root-bound. Pass on those and find mums with healthier, less crowded roots instead.
3. Don’t Shop At The Wrong Time Of Day
Believe it or not, timing your shopping trip matters more than you’d think. Garden centers and nurseries stock their freshest plants early in the morning when deliveries arrive.
By late afternoon, the best selections have often been picked over, and plants have been sitting in the sun all day. Heat-stressed mums may look droopy or tired.
Plan your mum-shopping adventure for morning hours when plants are well-watered, perky, and you have the widest variety to choose from for your Pennsylvania porch.
4. Don’t Forget To Check For Pests And Disease
Bringing home mums infested with bugs or disease can spell disaster for your other plants. Always inspect leaves carefully before purchasing, looking underneath where critters like to hide.
Watch for yellowing leaves, brown spots, white powdery coating, or tiny insects crawling around. Healthy mums should have vibrant green foliage without blemishes.
A quick thirty-second inspection saves you from introducing problems to your garden. If something looks off, trust your instincts and choose a different plant from a healthier batch.
5. Don’t Overlook Pennsylvania’s Hardiness Zones
Pennsylvania spans multiple hardiness zones, from 5a in the mountains to 7b in the southeast. Not all mums are created equal when it comes to surviving our winters.
If you’re hoping your mums will return next spring, ask specifically for hardy perennial varieties bred for Pennsylvania’s climate. Many garden mums sold in fall are actually annuals.
Store clerks can guide you toward varieties that match your specific zone. Perennial mums cost slightly more but reward you with blooms year after year instead of one season.
6. Don’t Skip Reading Care Instructions
That little plastic tag stuck in the pot isn’t just decoration—it contains valuable information about your mum’s specific needs. Different varieties have different requirements for sun, water, and care.
Some mums prefer full sun while others tolerate partial shade better. Watering frequency can vary too.
Taking two minutes to read the care tag helps you place your mums in the right spot and maintain them properly. Keep the tag until your mums are established so you can reference it whenever questions arise about proper care.
7. Don’t Buy Based On Price Alone
Everyone loves a bargain, but the cheapest mums aren’t always the best deal. Rock-bottom prices often indicate plants that are stressed, root-bound, or nearing the end of their bloom cycle.
Spending a few extra dollars on quality mums from reputable Pennsylvania nurseries means healthier plants that last longer. You’ll actually save money in the long run.
Look for mums with dense foliage, multiple buds, and sturdy stems. Quality indicators matter more than saving two or three dollars on a plant that might disappoint you within days.
8. Don’t Neglect Proper Transportation
You’ve selected perfect mums, but the journey home can undo all that careful choosing. Mums are surprisingly fragile during transport, with delicate stems and flowers that break easily.
Secure pots so they won’t tip over during turns or sudden stops. If it’s windy, cover plants with a light sheet to prevent windburn on the highway.
Never leave mums in a hot car while running other errands—even twenty minutes of heat can stress them badly. Make the nursery your last stop before heading straight home to your Pennsylvania garden.