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Growing Chrysanthemums in The Garden: Chrysanthemum History
Growing Chrysanthemums in The Garden: Chrysanthemum History
Growing Chrysanthemums in The Garden: Chrysanthemum History
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) bloom in When selecting the planting site, choose an area that
early fall when most annuals and perennials are winding receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Avoid
down for the season. Mums are available in a wide range of sites near outdoor lights as the light may inhibit flower
flower colors and forms. formation.
Winter survival to discourage late season growth. Do not cut down plants
Although more cold hardy in fall. Research has found that garden mums survive
than florist mums, garden better if the old growth is left standing through the winter.
mums may be severely Apply a protective mulch over the plants in late fall. Mulch
damaged or completely helps keep the soil uniformly cold after it has frozen, thus
destroyed in winter. eliminating the alternate freezing-thawing cycle and the
Chrysanthemums have resulting soil heaving. Apply several inches of straw or
shallow, fibrous roots. pine needles over the plants in late November or early
Repeated freezing and December. Leaves tend to mat down, possibly damaging
thawing of the soil (because plants. Remove the mulch
of a lack of snow cover) in in early spring (typically
winter can heave plants out late March or early April).
of the ground, making them
vulnerable to winter damage. For more information
Horticultural information
Several things can be done is available from your local Iowa State University Extension
to increase the likelihood of office and these websites.
garden mums surviving the
winter in Iowa. Select early- www.yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/
flowering cultivars that are
known to possess excellent Revised by Richard Jauron, extension horticulturist, from
cold hardiness. For example, materials he originally prepared with Linda Naeve, former
many of the University of extension horticulturist. Illustration by Mark Müller.
Minnesota introductions
perform well in Iowa. Do not
fertilize plants in summer
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For the full non-discrimination statement or accommodation inquiries, go to
www.extension.iastate.edu/diversity/ext.