If you’re a fan of chrysanthemums (or “mums” as we usually call them!), you probably love the idea of hardy varieties that come back year after year to brighten up your garden or balcony. While many mums are tough enough to handle the cold, they do need a little TLC before they settle in for their winter nap.
How to Overwinter Your Mums
For hardy mums already planted in your garden beds, wait until they’ve finished blooming, then cut them back to about 4 inches above the ground. To keep them cozy, cover the remaining stems and the entire root area with a thick layer of brush or evergreen boughs. Pro tip: Avoid using fallen leaves for mulch! They tend to get soggy and rot over time, and mums really hate having “wet feet” during the winter.
If you bought potted hardy mums in the fall, it’s actually better to wait until spring to plant them in the ground. At this point in the season, they won’t have enough time to establish a strong root system before the first frost. Treat them like your other container mums for now and save the digging for the warmer months.
Overwintering Potted Mums
If you have the space, the best way to keep potted mums happy is to move them into a cool, frost-free spot. You’re looking for a temperature range between 40°F and 50°F. The best part? They don’t necessarily need a lot of light during this dormant phase. Great spots include:
- An unheated greenhouse
- A bright basement
- A cool hallway or stairwell
- An unheated sunroom
No indoor space? No problem! You can still overwinter your pots on a patio or balcony with a little extra prep. Push the pots up against the house wall to shield them from biting winds. Place the pots on a piece of wood or Styrofoam to insulate them from the cold ground, then wrap the container itself in a thick layer of garden fleece or burlap. Finally, top the trimmed plant with some evergreen branches for extra protection.
Hardy Chrysanthemum Varieties
There are about 5,000 known chrysanthemum varieties, but not all of them can handle a chilly winter. For your garden or outdoor containers, you’ll want to look for “Hardy Mums” (sometimes called Garden Mums). These varieties are much more resilient and only need a little bit of help to make it through. Here are a few favorites:
- Goldmarianne: Features stunning golden-yellow blooms in September.
- Kleiner Bernstein: Offers unique amber-brown flowers from October through November.
- Eisbär (Polar Bear): A classic white flower with a yellow center, blooming September to November.
- Isabellrosa: A beautiful yellow-pink mix starting in September.
- Nebelrose: Gorgeous silvery-pink blooms that shine in October and November.
- Hebe: A lovely violet variety that blooms late in the season (October to November).
