Chrysanthemums—or “mums” as we usually call them—are the undisputed royalty of fall garden decor. Most of the time, people grab those colorful pots from the grocery store, treat them as annuals, and toss them on the compost pile once the blooms fade. But if you’re a gardener who wants more bang for your buck, you’ll want to look into hardy garden mums. These beauties can survive the winter and grow into massive, stunning perennials that come back year after year.
Hardy Garden Mums
Hardy mums are true perennials that stay right in your garden beds all winter long. They start showing off in late summer and keep the party going until the first hard frost. You can find them in just about every color imaginable, with flower shapes ranging from tiny buttons to huge, lush pom-poms. To make sure they make it through the winter and come back stronger, here are a few pro tips:
- The secret to winter survival is getting them in the ground early. Ideally, plant them in the spring so they have all season to establish a deep, healthy root system.
- Pick a spot that’s tucked away from harsh winds and heavy driving rain.
- Resist the urge to tidy up! Don’t cut back the dead flowers or leaves in the fall. That old foliage actually acts as a natural insulation jacket for the plant’s crown.
- Give the roots some extra love by mulching the base with evergreen boughs or brush.
- Wait until spring to prune. Once you see new growth starting to peek out, cut the old stems back to about 4 inches.
Great Varieties for Your Garden
The options are endless, but here are a few of my favorite hardy varieties that really stand out:
- ‘Goldmarianne’: This one gets about 28 inches tall and loves a sunny spot with rich, well-draining soil. You’ll get gorgeous golden-brown blooms throughout September and October.
- ‘Kleiner Bernstein’ (Little Amber): A bit more compact at 20 inches, this variety thrives even in poorer soils. It produces stunning amber and bronze-yellow flowers in early fall.
- ‘Brockenfeuer’: If you want late-season drama, this is it. It grows up to 28 inches and features deep red petals with a bright yellow center, blooming all the way into November.
Location and Care
If you want a massive flower show every year, location is everything. Mums love bright light, but they can get a bit crispy in the intense, direct midday sun. Aim for a spot with loose, well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter (compost is your friend here!).
When it comes to water, keep them consistently moist but never soggy—they hate “wet feet.” Believe it or not, you should even give them a little water on dry, frost-free days in the winter. For feeding, use an organic fertilizer every two weeks from March through September. Alternatively, you can mix in a slow-release fertilizer (like horn meal) in May and July. If you have taller varieties, give them a stake for support so they don’t flop over, and be sure to deadhead spent blooms regularly to keep the plant looking fresh!
