Where To Avoid Planting Mums In Your Garden

Nothing says fall quite like at least one "mum" rubbing elbows with a pumpkin or two by the front steps, or perhaps gracing the back garden border. Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.) can be either annual or perennial, depending on the species you choose and the region in which you live. But whether you plan to showcase mums for just one autumn or for years to come, you expect them to thrive for at least one season. That can't happen if they're not planted properly. One of the most common mistakes to avoid if you want your mums to last is planting them in an unsuitable location.

Certainly, don't plant chrysanthemums in a garden bed with the wrong soil conditions. One that has been recently enriched with manure or another high-nitrogen fertilizer can spell, if not exactly doom, then certainly scraggly growth. Instead, use soil that is high in organic matter and feed the plants throughout the season with a fertilizer labeled 6-12-12 or 12-12-12, which indicates a balanced level of nitrogen and other essential nutrients.

Another no-no for mums? Any patch that is too poorly draining. Like Goldilocks, mums prefer the "just right" happy medium between getting consistent water and not being soggy. Drainage is a crucial element for these plants. If all your available planting sites are too compacted, consider using a raised bed or pots to make sure that the mums' roots won't sit in water. By the same token, avoid using soils or amendments that have moisture-retaining elements. Of course, the planting area shouldn't be too sandy either, or you'll likely have to water the mums more frequently.

In most cases, what chrysanthemums crave most is sunlight. Placing them in deep or even partial shade will only hasten your prized mums' decline. Instead, plant chrysanthemums where they'll get full sun during the day. The only potential exception is in the hottest climates, where they can handle a little bit of afternoon shade.

If you're thinking about placing perennial mums in an out-of-the-way corner, think twice! While these dramatic plants may tempt you to use them for screening awkward spaces, you'll only be making life harder for yourself. That's because, in order to get the most out of your fall mums, you'll need to give them regular maintenance earlier in the season. Chrysanthemums bud out in spring and begin to bloom in late summer, and they need to be pinched back continuously until early summer in order to encourage plenty of blooms. In addition, this helps keep them in an ideal, bushy shape rather than a scraggly one. That pinching also encourages foliage at the base, so that the mums aren't top heavy once they bloom.

Finally, when it comes to container gardens, don't grow chrysanthemums in pots that are too small for them. Of course, potted mums are ideal for dressing up autumnal-themed walkways and patios. But to successfully grow mums in containers and keep them thriving throughout the fall, don't let them get "root bound." When you see roots poking through drainage holes, it's time to move the plants up at least one pot size.