Some of the newer chrysanthemum (mum) varieties are hardier than those available in the past. Their winter survival depends on the type of winter we have and the care we give our mums during the growing season. Healthy, well grown plants that have been grown in full light, watered regularly and fertilized are stronger and are more apt to survive than those grown under poor conditions.

Mums are best planted in May. Stock purchased from you local nursery, especially rooted cuttings or started plants should not be planted until the danger of hard frost has past. Be sure that your plants are hardened off before putting them into the garden. Divisions from your over-wintered plants may be dug and replanted about the 15th of May. However, if the new plants are weak and small, don't transplant them until June 1st.

Chrysanthemums will do well in most fertile garden soils. They do best in well drained soil that is high in organic matter. Adding peat or well-rotted manure into the soil is recommended. Work two tablespoons of 5-10-5 fertilizer into the soil around each plant in the spring. Be sure to water in the fertilizer, if the soil is dry. Never water your mums with a sprinkler in late evening. This greatly increases the add of plant foliar diseases.

To get low growing, sturdy, well branched plants, pinch back the tips once or twice during the growing season. You can do this easily with your fingers or with a knife. Remove about 1 inch from the tops of the main shoots. The first pinching should be done when your plants are 6 inches tall. Side branches will them be produced. When these branches are 6-8 inches long, pinch again for additional branching. Don't pinch after July 1st.

Water your plants well during the fall to encourage growth of the young shoots around the base of the mother plant. Leave the tops on your plants during the winter to help hold snow. A coarse mulch is good.

This page was last updated October 2005

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