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Chrysanthemum

The blooms of the Chrysanthemum (Mum) are among the brightest and most festive in the Fall garden. September is a great month to begin planting Mums. fall Mums thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and will be covered with blooms if pinched back several times berfore the middle of July.

Chrysanthemums are a hardy perennial. Newly planted fall mums do not require fertilizer for the first season. However, during the next growing season begin feeding your Fall mums as new growth emerges, with the plant food of your choice. Feed your plants monthly until August.

Most fall mums are winter hardy in the United States. One of the most important tips in over wintering Fall mums is to keep the soil moist as Winter approaches. If you're willing to take the time, after several hard frosts have blackened the plants, cut them back to near soil level. If not, just leave the plants until the next growing season and cut them back then. 

Remember, to encourage branching and compact bushy growth, it's important to pinch your Fall mums in early Spring. Once your plants have reached 4" - 6" remove about 1" to 2" of new growth on every shoot. After the plants have grown 3" - 5" shoots from the first pinching, pinch them again. Stop pinching your plants around mid July. If you follow these steps, you will have Fall mums that are compact and bushy - not tall and straggly.

Black-eyed Susan
Butterfly Bush
Chrysanthemum
Croscosmia
Daylilies
Epimedium
Helleborus
Japanese Anemone
Tree Peony