Chrysanthemums are lovely, semi-hardy perennials that bring color to the late summer garden. Here are a few tips to help insure growing success. Plant early to establish good roots. Plant garden mums in a spot where they get full sun, in peat moss, perlite, or organic matter (humus, leaf mold, manures will help to loosen it.)
Plant mums 24 inches apart or more. You will be surprised at how much growth they put on
the second year. Keep moist throughout the fall so they do not suffer stress and can get well
established before winter arrives.
At the holidays, cut the branches off your Christmas tree with you are done with it. Lay them across the mums about two layers thick. If you don’t have a tree, many tree lots will give you trees after the holidays free of charge. A layer of straw can be used if it is not applied too
heavily. The idea is to keep the mums at an even, cold temperature. Cold doesn’t usually kill mums, heaving from the frost does. Leave your mums covered until mid March, or about when the crocus bloom.
In the spring after uncovering, trim back dead stems to the ground and feed the plants with a
5-10-10 formula fertilizer.
To keep the small, compact bushy shape that typifies your mums the first year, cut them back
to a height of 8 inches until mid-July. They grow quickly and you may have to cut them back
several times through the season. After mid-July, let the stems grow and form flower buds. Without the “haircuts” your mums will still bloom. They will be taller and may need support
when in flower.
Mum plants can be divided every other year. To divide, wait until early spring, dig up the clump and cut into sections. Make each section at least 6x6 inches to be sure you have a good
number of rooted stems.
