What's the difference between garden mums and hardy mums?

Garden mums are the same thing as hardy mums. Nurseries and garden centers have stopped calling them hardy mums overtime. Mums need special care to over make it through the winter. Mum overwintering is dependent on placement, pruning and conditions.

How do you know if you have hardy mums?

Garden mums thrive in zones 4 to 9, while florist mums—like the ones you find at grocery store in gift pots—are only hardy to USDA Hardiness zones 7 to 9 (find your zone here). Read the label so you know what you're buying in the first place.

Do hardy mums come back every year?

Because people often think that mums (formally called Chrysanthemums) are at best a finicky perennial, many gardeners treat them as annuals, but this doesn't have to be the case. With just a little winter care for mums, these fall beauties can come back year after year.

How can you tell the difference between mums?

What does a hardy mum look like?

Types of Hardy Chrysanthemums

Anemone: One or more rows of petals with a cushion-like center. Pompom: Familiar globular shape. Regular incurve: Petals curve up and in, forming a sphere. Single or daisy: Looks like its cousin, the daisy.

Will Mums Come Back Next Year?

Are there 2 different kinds of mums?

These hardy flowers boast variety in color and flower form. By using different types of mums, you can give your garden a splash of autumn color. All told, there 13 classes or types of chrysanthemum, as determined by the National Chrysanthemum Society.

Which mums last the longest?

But, if you want the show to last its longest, select mums that still have lots of closed buds. The more flowers there are yet to bloom, the longer the color show will last on your deck, patio, porch, or in your yard.

Are garden mums annuals or perennials?

Though technically perennials, mums are often grown as annuals owing to shallow root systems inclined to heave right out of the ground during winter's freeze-thaw cycles.

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

"Check your mums every day if they are in direct sun. Push your finger into the soil and if the soil sticks to it, they have enough water." If your finger comes out dry, water the plants until it drains out of the bottom of the pot.

Can garden mums survive winter?

Although garden mums are often called hardy mums, they may not survive the winter if drainage is poor or if you live in a frigid climate. If your mums survive the winter, you'll see new growth developing around the base of the plant in early spring.

When should I buy fall mums?

Mid-September is the earliest time you should consider buying mums. However, each year the longer and hotter summers are pushing that date later and later into September, even into the month of October. As a rule, we at Southern Living recommend "buying plants as they start to break bud.

How can you tell the difference between perennial and annual mums?

The perennial, fall-flowering form is Chrysanthemum x morifolium and the annual variety is Chrysanthemum multicaule. If your plant came without identification, note that the annuals have thinner, strappy leaves that are not as toothed as the perennials, which are wide and deeply notched.

Can I plant potted mums in the ground?

Plant Them Anyway

Technically, however, they can be planted in your garden any time before the first frost of fall. This means you can try removing the mums from your pot and planting them in the ground in the fall. Although your potted mums may look dead, they might just be dormant.

How do you winterize mums?

Winter Care for Potted Mums

But plants that are growing in containers don't have this protection. To avoid exposing container-grown plants to freezing temperatures, you'll need to overwinter them indoors. Before moving them, repot your plants into slightly larger containers.

How do you take care of hardy mums?

How long do hardy mums last?

Mums that are on special with fully open flowers are OK to buy, but be aware that they will not last as long in your garden. 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.

What should I look for when buying mums?

Look for dark green, full, symmetrical plants with no signs of wilting or yellowing foliage. Buy the plants by flower color. The fun is coming up with a scheme, say orange mums and black pansies for Halloween. Because it's a temporary show, have a good time with color combinations.

Can hardy mums survive frost?

Most garden mums should be able to endure a light fall frost. Cover the plants at night when freeze warnings are in effect. To keep the plant attractive and healthy, snip off any dead blossoms as soon as they wilt.

What's the difference between mum and chrysanthemum?

The term “mum” is short for chrysanthemum, and this plant is the largest commercially grown flower in the U.S., known as the “Queen of Fall Flowers,” according to FTD.

Are chrysanthemums Hardy?

Although they are generally classified as hardy, it is still best to protect them from frost. Chrysanthemums are perennials, going dormant in winter, then re-sprouting in spring. The flowers come in various shapes, sizes and colours.

How big do hardy mums get?

A: Hardy chrysanthemum plants can grow 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the cultivar, with a spread sometimes equal to the height. To keep them growing optimally, they should be planted in a full-sun location that receives at least six hours of direct sun per day.

What colors do hardy mums come in?

Hardy chrysanthemums come in a variety of shades, including sunny yellows, pinks, mauves and orange-reds. The latter especially suits the season as tree leaves turn gold and auburn. Some, such as "Will's Wonderful," have two-colored petals.