{"id":21246,"date":"2020-08-31T14:40:44","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T19:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/b48db82f22.nxcli.net\/?p=21246"},"modified":"2024-06-20T10:59:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T15:59:48","slug":"mum-a-mia-planting-and-caring-for-chrysanthemums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/mum-a-mia-planting-and-caring-for-chrysanthemums\/","title":{"rendered":"Mum-a Mia! Planting and Caring for Chrysanthemums"},"content":{"rendered":"

They have a complicated name, but these flowers are simply beautiful fall garden plants<\/a>. They come from the aster family, but they\u2019re showier than their wild relatives. These fall favorite plants have a very special place in our hearts\u2014we grow all of ours locally here in Carpentersville! Some blossoms are like daisies; others are like pom-poms or buttons. Whatever their shape, they all have colorful, dense flowers that bloom into the fall. Here are the best tips for growing chrysanthemums!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Types of Chrysanthemums<\/b><\/h4>\n

While there are both annual and perennial varieties of mums, most of the perennial varieties aren\u2019t hardy enough to withstand our Chicago winters. For that matter, it\u2019s pretty tricky to find them! Instead, we recommend sticking with annual chrysanthemums (often sold as \u201cgarden mums\u201d), which start blooming in late August and look their best through early to mid-fall.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Do You Prepare Soil for Chrysanthemums?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Mums love well-draining soil with consistent moisture. It\u2019s best to dig down about 8 to 12 inches to loosen the earth and mix in 2 to 4 inches of peat or compost. Grab a handful of soil and give it a squeeze. The perfect texture should neither clump nor totally disintegrate, but gently crumble when you open your hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Where Do Chrysanthemums Grow Best?<\/b><\/h4>\n

Mums are sun-loving plants. The more sun they have, the more they\u2019ll grow. As a minimum, they require at least six hours of sunlight each day. A little afternoon shade is ideal in the heat of summer. When they sense a change in daylength late in the season, they begin to set their flower buds. They also need good air circulation to prevent mildew and other fungi, so be mindful to follow spacing instructions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Our Favorite Chrysanthemums<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

You can find them in almost any color of the rainbow and with many styles\u2014from the classic dense florets to spacious anemone-like petals. Here are some beauties that thrive in Chicago:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n