FAQ: How Do I Know If Its A Garden Mum Or Florist Mum?

How do you identify mums?

Determine if the Button is Flat or Raised The petals of many mums emerge from a single point, but some also have a buttonlike center. If the button is flat and flush with the petals, it is a daisy-type mum. If the button is raised above the point where the petals are attached, it is an anemone-centered mum.

What is the difference between garden mums and hardy mums?

Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums. The group of mums that are hardy actually go by two different common names: garden mums and hardy mums. Garden mums is the wording of choice, and these are the gorgeous flowering plants you see at garden centers in fall displays with pumpkins and gourds.

What are garden mums?

Garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are herbaceous perennials in the daisy family and are stalwarts of the flowering autumn garden. When garden centers sell blooming potted mums in the fall, they are usually used as annuals and discarded when the blooms fade.

What does a mum plant look like?

The chrysanthemum flowers range from dazzling whites to deep bronzes, and the hardy plants are highlighted with full, dark green leaves. Chrysanthemum flowers look like they have a multitude of petals, but each individual petal is actually a small floret.

What mums come back every year?

There are two types of mums: garden mums, which are treated as annuals and hardy perennial mums. Garden mums are the big, colorful annuals sold in pots each fall across the United States.

How do I get my mums to come back every year?

Cut back the stems of the mums to 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm.) above the ground. Leaving a little bit of the stems will ensure that next year you have a full plant, as the new stems will grow from these trimmed stems. If you cut the mums back to the ground, fewer stems will grow next year.

How long do potted mums last?

Garden mums may be grown in containers, or planted in beds with existing shrubs and flowers. Flowers generally last about two or three weeks, depending on the outdoor temperatures and how far along the blooming process was when the plants were purchased.

When should I plant my mums?

If you’re using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you’re using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they’re blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.

Will potted mums come back?

Potted mums are autumn classics, with late-season color that boosts curb appeal or brightens a Thanksgiving table. Treat your potted mums with care, and they’ ll come back whether you maintain them in the pot or plant them out in the garden.

How often should you water mums?

Early in the season mums should be watered like your lawn, about one inch a week. As the plants increase in size and summer brings warmer temperatures, your watering should increase proportionately. By flowering time in September and October, watering three times a week would not be too much.

How long will mums bloom?

Depending on weather conditions and mum varieties, you can expect to get a good display of color for four to six weeks. Extended periods of hot weather will age the flowers more quickly.

How do you get mums to rebloom?

Plant the mums in well-draining soil that receives full sun. Fertilize well to encourage blooms. If the mums produce spring blooms, pinch them back before late summer to encourage fall flowering. Before winter, cover plants with several inches of mulch or straw.

Why are my mums dying?

The flowers may wilt and die quite suddenly. Mealybugs and aphids are two that do this, while chrysanthemum thrips attack the buds and flowers. Finally, poor environmental conditions such as overly wet or dry soil weaken the mums, which can lead to the plants becoming more susceptible to fungi, diseases and insects.

Are mums poisonous to dogs?

Our sources conclude yes, mums are toxic to pets, particularly dogs, cats and horses. Symptoms of ingesting the flower include vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, incoordination and skin inflammation. Typically, the mums are not deadly, but pet parents should call their veterinarians right away.

Can mums survive the winter in pots?

You can leave your garden mums in the ground during winter, especially with a layer of mulch in the cooler zones. However, because potted plants are more susceptible to cold damage, bring your mums indoors for winter safekeeping. Keep mums outdoors until the foliage and flowers die back after the first frost.