Embrace Autumn’s Beauty by Planting Fall Mums

Your garden still has plenty to give you during the fall months, especially when you bring mums into the mix!

 

Even though many of our favorite summer blooms have started to fade, many other flowers will continue to thrive through September, October, and well into early November. Among these late-season bloomers, chrysanthemums, or “mums,” stand tall above the rest, bringing a fantastic range of colors and flowers to your fall garden. Here’s a guide to help you properly pick and plant these autumn beauties!   

 

Why Plant Chrysanthemums? 

Chrysanthemums have been gracing gardens for ages. They originated in Ancient China, where they grew so popular that they became a national symbol, appearing in art and on diplomatic emblems and currency. Since then, they have continued to be cultivated for their stunning beauty, and in modern times, chrysanthemums have found their way into the hearts of garden enthusiasts worldwide. Their diverse colors, shapes, and sizes offer endless possibilities for creative landscaping in the fall season. 

 

Chrysanthemums for the Pennsylvania Garden 

Here are some of our favorite chrysanthemum varieties that thrive in Pennsylvania’s temperate climate:

• Daisy Delight Chrysanthemum: These daisy-shaped perennial mums bloom with sunny yellow petals and bronze centers. Ideal for borders or beds, they’re like a perpetual ray of sunshine for the fall garden. They grow well in full sun and well-draining soil. 

• Ruby Radiance Chrysanthemum: Shaped like pom-poms, these annual mums feature romantic crimson petals that give any rose a run for its money. Growing together in dense clusters, they grab your attention with their red blooms and echo the scarlet fall leaves of maple trees. They prefer moist soil and full sun to partial shade. 

• Creamy Dream Chrysanthemum: With understated elegance, these mums bring a bouquet of white blossoms to your fall display. As perennials hardy to our climate, you can plant them in your garden and enjoy their delicate beauty every fall. They thrive in full sun and average soil. 

• Bronze Beauty Chrysanthemum: Just when you thought you’d seen it all, this mum brings rare bronze petals to your garden. Blending perfectly with the autumn leaves, they bring fall majesty to your planters and borders. An annual in Pennsylvania, they prefer sun to light shade and well-draining soil.  

• Pink Perfection Chrysanthemum: One of the mums’ most mesmerizing features is their intricate layers of petals, a feature that is exemplified perfectly by this variety. With its soft pink hues, the pink perfection chrysanthemum brings yet another unique color into your fall garden. For best results, plant these perennials in full sun and fertile soil. 

 

Best Tips for Planting Mums

While each chrysanthemum variety has its own sunlight and moisture preferences, by and large, mums thrive in sunny spots and well-draining soil. That being said, here are a few tips to help you set your annual and perennial mums up for success this autumn: 

• Annual Mums: Annual mums grow well in pots on their own or in combination with other annuals that shine in the fall months, so feel free to plant them in any vacant porch planters or empty spaces you may have in your garden.

• Perennial Mums: When planting perennials, consider how they’ll fit with the garden throughout the entire growing season. Choose visible places near earlier blooming perennials so that your mums can take center stage as other flowers begin to fade. 

 

When to Plant Mums in Pennsylvania 

After the sweltering heat of summer has passed and temperatures become mild, it’s time to bring mums into the garden. Usually, this occurs around mid-September. Once planted, they’ll flourish throughout the fall until they’re hit by a hard frost, though some are more resistant than others.  

 

Other Fun Facts about Chrysanthemums 

• Birth Flower: Chrysanthemums are the birth flower for those born in November. 
• Flower of Happiness: The chrysanthemum is often associated with happiness and vitality in Chinese culture.
• Artistic Inspiration: Chrysanthemums have long been celebrated in art and literature. For instance, Van Gogh was so enamored by them that he created a series of paintings dedicated to chrysanthemums.
• Modern Varieties: Thanks to modern horticultural efforts, chrysanthemums now come in an incredible range of shapes, with blooms that can resemble daisies, pompoms, and even spiders. 

Autumn is one of Pennsylvania’s most colorful and impressive seasons. From fall leaves to an abundant harvest and late-blooming flowers, your garden still has plenty to give you during the fall months, especially when you bring mums into the mix. For more tips on planting fall mums and to see our full selection, come visit our garden center in Glenside, PA!