Nature comes alive with colour in autumn, when foliage turns brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange.
Gardens, however, are often a different matter; annuals are dying off and most perennials are past their blooms. As a result, browns and sickly yellows are the predominant colours in our yards once temperatures start to fall.
Gardeners desperate to add a splash of vibrancy to their gardens at this time of year traditionally turn to mums as a surefire solution.
Mums, or, more properly, chrysanthemums, come in a variety of blazing hues (pink, red, yellow, bronze, purple and others) and bloom late into the fall, typically between August and October. They are short-day plants, meaning their blooming is triggered by the reduction of sunlight resulting from the shorter days of late summer and early autumn. It is at this time that the plant’s energies switch from foliage growth to bud development. Flower formation usually occurs about six weeks after buds appear.
Despite their late blooming period and often being referred to as “hardy mums,” fall mums are really not that resilient and are susceptible to frost damage due in large part to shallow roots. In fact, while they are indeed perennials (meaning they return year after year), many people in colder climates – such as here in Central Ontario – plant them as annuals because of their unfortunate tendency to not survive the winter.
Mums can be planted in gardens, of course, but are ideally suited as seasonal container plants (see sidebar) where they take centre stage and enliven walkways, patios and doorways. Once the season is over, move quickly and either transplant the flower into the ground or bring it indoors to over winter. The latter option offers the best chance of survival, since a mum planted in the garden in late October or early November has little time to establish the strong roots necessary to endure the onset of freezing temperatures.
You’ll have far better luck with bringing back mums the following season if they are planted directly into the soil when purchased rather than used as a container plant. It’s also best to purchase and plant your mums as early as possible. This helps the plants establish strong root systems and allow them time to acclimatize to their new environment before the onslaught of winter. The earlier you plant, the more likely the mum will return next year.
Plant mums in well-drained soil rich in organic material, adding manure or triple mix to the soil as needed. They require at least half sun to thrive, and require frequent watering to prevent them from drying out.
Finally, mums need plenty of space to spread and develop (a three-foot-diameter space is perfect), and like to be fed regularly with flowering plant fertilizer.
Because of their tight, mounded look and stunning blooms, garden mums are perfect for mass plantings. To get the maximum visual effect, plant half a dozen or more mums in close confinement and stick to only one or two colours – the result will be a brilliant garden focal point.
When deciding where to plant mums, survey the yard to see if existing features will be complementary. For example, evergreen shrubs provide an ideal backdrop because the dark green needles contrast nicely with the mum’s bold fall colours and allowing them to truly stand out. Other complementary plants include variegated sedum, fall asters, kale, and ornamental grasses.
To help your mums survive winter, a generous mound of mulch should be applied to protect their tender roots. Be sure not to use peat moss as mulch, however, as it becomes compacted and will prevent the drainage of water to the soil below.
Also, cut the stems back and mound evergreen boughs or yard clippings over them. This forms an additional insulated layer. It’s important to note that snow is the best insulator of all, so don’t make any effort to clear it from your mums.
For those whose mums survive the winter elements, or who are growing them from seed, some investment of time is required throughout the summer in order to enjoy brilliant blooms in the fall. Make sure to water diligently throughout the growing season, and fertilize monthly during the early part of the year with a general-purpose plant food.
To encourage a bushy and full-looking plant, you should pinch off an inch of growth above the topmost leaves on each shoot. This stops upward growth, thereby encouraging the production of side growths, called breaks. The result will be a compact and bushy flower with literally dozens of blooms. Do this throughout the summer as new shoots reach four to six inches in height, but stop in July.
As most flowers in the garden are fading as fast as our memories of summer, mums step forward to provide a welcome blast of late-season colour. A few myths dispelled, a selection of helpful tips, and you’re in a far better position to enjoy the full potential of these glorious fall bloomers.
Container Gardening
Containers can open up a whole new horizon for gardeners. They can serve as substitutes for in-ground gardens for those with limited time, money or interest, and can also serve to decorate areas, such as decks, that are generally devoid of colour and ornamentation.
Growing flowers – especially the ever-reliable mum – in containers is really a simple process. There are, however, some general rules that will help ensure success.
Soil: Use a peat-based container mix for pots or containers of any kind. They are ideal because of their lightweight composition, and because they are free of pathogens, clean, and easy to handle.
Feeding: Container plants need fertilization more often than standard garden plants. Liquid concentrates, granules and powders are all effective, but make sure to follow the instructions carefully. Perennials, such as mums, benefit from controlled-release fertilizer. There are two simple ways to do this. Either incorporate slow-release granules into the soil at the time of planting by applying it on the surface and lightly mixing it in, or apply a thin layer of fresh compost (such as manure) from which nutrients will leach down into the soil every time the container is watered.
Drainage: It’s important that all containers have drainage holes, so check for this before you start planting. Using crushed stones or broken terracotta pots at the bottom will also improve drainage.
Watering: Maintaining even moisture levels is important to successful container gardening. Don’t let the soil get too dry or too moist. In most cases, water as soon as the soil feels dry, preferably in the evening or morning.
Deadheading: Neatness is a priority with containers. As soon as flowers pass through peak, pinch off the bloom. This not only removes unsightly “deadheads,” but also encourages repeat flowering.
Please, mum!
Date: Nov 26, 2009
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