Add Color to Your Garden with Perennial Chrysanthemum Plants

Chrysanthemums commonly called mums, are one of the most popular perennial flowers for fall gardens. Their burst of color in the autumn can brighten up any landscape. If you want to add warm hues and visual interest to your yard in the later months consider planting some perennial chrysanthemums this spring.

Why Grow Perennial Mums?

There are many great reasons to incorporate perennial mums into your garden

• Long blooming season Perennial mums begin flowering in early fall and continue through the first hard frost This gives you weeks of color when most other plants are fading

• Wide variety: Mums come in almost every color except blue. There are shades of red, orange, yellow, white, pink, purple, and more. You can find single or double blooms too.

• Tolerate cooler weather: While not fully winter hardy in all zones, mums can withstand colder temperatures better than many flowering plants. Some varieties are hardy even in zone 4.

• Reblooming: When planted in spring, perennial mum plants will flower abundantly year after year without having to be replanted annually.

• Multipurpose: Use mums as border plants, in containers, or cut them for fresh flower arrangements. Their versatility makes them useful in any garden.

• Low maintenance: Mums are unfussy plants that don’t require much care once established. Pinch them back initially for fullness and bloom, then let them do their thing.

How to Grow Perennial Chrysanthemums

Growing perennial mums from small starter plants is easy. Here are some tips for success:

• Sunlight: Plant mums in a spot with full sun exposure for at least six hours per day. Morning sun is ideal.

• Soil: Mums thrive in rich, well-draining soil. Amend clay or sandy soils with compost or organic matter.

• Planting: Set mum plants 1-3 feet apart depending on variety size. Plant in spring after the last frost date.

• Water: Water mums regularly until established, then weekly if rain is lacking. Soak the soil thoroughly.

• Fertilizer: Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost around mum plants in early spring to fuel growth.

• Pinching: Pinch off the central stem tips of young mum plants to encourage bushier growth and more flower buds.

• Maintenance: Deadhead spent blooms and trim plants by 1/3 after flowering finishes for the season.

• Hardiness: Add a layer of mulch around the base in late fall for insulation if you live in an area with very cold winters.

Follow these simple tips and your perennial mums will flourish season after season.

Where to Buy Perennial Chrysanthemum Plants

You can find mums at most garden centers and nurseries, usually in the fall. For the best selection of perennial chrysanthemum plants, check out these top online retailers:

• Bluestone Perennials – This company offers over 70 varieties of perennial mums in every color except blue. Prices start at $5.95 per plant.

• Halden Garden – Find unique heirloom mum varieties along with traditional garden favorites at Halden Garden. Buy individual plants or curated collections.

• GrowJoy – This organic nursery sells perennial mum starters in 3.5″ pots for just $5 each. They have single, double, and pompom style blooms.

• Nature Hills Nursery – Shop their large selection of potted mums in both spring and fall. Free shipping on orders over $99.

• Brecks – A leading bulb supplier, Brecks sells top-quality mums ideal for fall containers and borders.

• Spring Hill Nurseries– This nursery offers a diverse selection of perennial mums in many colors and bloom styles.

Order your chrysanthemums online early in the growing season for delivery at the optimal spring planting time in your area. Then sit back and wait for the vibrant blossoms this fall!

Popular Perennial Mum Varieties

With so many mums to choose from, it can be tough to pick favorites for your garden. Here are 10 top-rated perennial chrysanthemum varieties to consider:

• ‘Autumn Colors’ – Bold, double blooms in hues of red, bronze, and yellow.

• ‘Mei-kyo’ – Vivid ruby-red single blooms with yellow centers.

• ‘Sheffield Pink’ – Abundant soft pink pompom flowers.

• ‘Viette’s Apricot Glow’ – Warm apricot-orange semi-double blossoms.

• ‘Radiant Purple’ – Long-lasting, vibrant purple flowers.

• ‘Venus’ – Ghostly white double blooms with quilled petals.

• ‘Fireglow’ – Large, fuzzy blooms in bright fiery red.

• ‘Orange Emperor’ – Massive yellow-orange flowers on tall stems.

• ‘Cottage Apricot’ – Dense, fluffy apricot-peach double blooms.

• ‘Pink Bomb’– Unique pink flowers resemble exploding fireworks.

With so many fantastic perennial mums to pick from, you really can’t go wrong! Choose a few different colors and bloom styles for the ultimate autumn display.

Designing With Perennial Mums

Chrysanthemums are one of the most versatile fall plants. Use them in borders, containers, cutting gardens, and more. Here are some ideas:

• Plant a gradation of mums in one color from tallest in back to shortest in front for a cohesive look.

• Mix varieties for a colorful, eclectic mum patch in your yard or garden bed.

• Use mums of a single color like yellow or red en masse for high visual impact.

• Pair complementary hues like orange and purple mums together for vibrant contrast.

• Plant mums alongside grasses, sedum, and other textures for added interest.

• Use mums in pots on porches, patios, and decks for instant fall decor.

• Cut fresh mum stems to create floral arrangements and centerpieces.

• Plant a mum hedge along a walkway or property border for bright curb appeal.

With so many options, let your creativity run wild when designing with perennial chrysanthemums!

Caring for Perennial Mums

While relatively low maintenance, perennial mums do require some care and attention for their health and performance:

• Pinch back young mum plants frequently to promote bushy growth. Stop pinching by early July.

• Water mums during dry periods. About 1-2″ of water per week is ideal.

• Remove faded blooms throughout autumn to encourage more flowering.

• Cut plants back to 6-8″ after flowering finishes in fall. Leave the root system intact.

• Apply fresh mulch around the base each year for insulation and weed prevention.

• Divide congested mum clumps every 2-3 years in early spring. Replant divisions 12-18″ apart.

• Fertilize mums with a balanced organic formula or compost in early spring when new growth emerges.

With proper planting, pinching, watering, and overwinter care, your perennial mums will thrive for years of colorful fall displays!

The Takeaway

For almost foolproof flowers that inject vibrant color into autumn gardens, look no further than perennial chrysanthemum plants. With their long bloom time, variety of hues, and adaptability to most zones and planting sites, it’s easy to see why mums are synonymous with fall. Their bright blossoms will surely tempt you outside to appreciate the garden even as days grow shorter and cooler. Visit a garden retailer or order starters online today to add some hardy, carefree mums to your landscape!