I have a confession: I used to think chrysanthemums (or mums, as most people call them) were a bit boring. They were the standard autumn flower you’d see everywhere, from garden centres to supermarket doorways. But that changed the day I brought a pot of mums home on a whim.
Those vibrant blooms lit up my patio like fireworks, and suddenly I couldn’t get enough of them. They’re so cheerful and versatile, not to mention the perfect way to brighten up those crisp autumn days. But then came the challenge: keeping them blooming for as long as possible and figuring out how to save them through winter. After plenty of trial and error (and, admittedly, a few casualties), I’ve finally cracked the code.
Let me share my hard-earned tips for extending chrysanthemum blooms and successfully wintering them over. Trust me, it’s worth the effort to enjoy these beauties year after year.
1. Deadheading is Your Best Friend
I’ll be honest: I didn’t know what deadheading was when I first got into gardening. I assumed flowers would just do their thing until they didn’t. But with mums, deadheading – removing the spent blooms – makes a massive difference.
One autumn afternoon, I sat with a cup of tea and gently snipped away the faded flowers, and within days, I noticed new buds forming. It’s almost like giving your mums a fresh lease on life. It also keeps the plant looking tidy, which is always a bonus.
How to Do It
Use small scissors or pruning shears and snip off the dead flowers just above a healthy set of leaves. Be gentle but thorough. It’s oddly therapeutic – like giving your plant a makeover!
2. Keep Them Watered (But Not Soaked)
One of my biggest mistakes with mums was overwatering. I was so desperate to keep them alive that I ended up drowning them. It turns out mums like consistently moist soil, but they absolutely hate soggy roots.
My Routine
I’ve learned to check the soil with my finger – if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water. I water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, especially in cooler weather. Too much water can encourage rot, and that’s the last thing you want when you’re trying to extend their blooming period.
3. Give Them a Sunny Spot
Mums are sun-worshippers, and I found this out the hard way after leaving mine in a shaded corner of the garden. They sulked. The blooms faded faster, and the plant looked generally miserable.
The Fix
I moved them to a sunny spot, and the difference was immediate. Chrysanthemums need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day to thrive. If you’re growing them in pots, it’s easy to relocate them to follow the sun as the season progresses.
4. Don’t Skimp on Fertiliser
I used to think fertiliser was for “serious” gardeners. Turns out, a little feeding goes a long way, especially with mums. They’re heavy feeders and appreciate a boost during their blooming period.
What I Use
I use a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks while the mums are actively blooming. Just be sure to stop feeding once the flowers start to fade – you don’t want to encourage new growth too late in the season, especially if you’re planning to winter them over.
5. Pinching for Better Blooms
This is one of those tips I wish I’d known sooner. Pinching back the stems early in the season helps mums grow bushier and produce more blooms. I’ll admit, it felt a bit counterintuitive at first – why would I want to cut back a perfectly healthy plant? But trust me, it works.
How to Do It
In late spring or early summer, pinch off the top inch or so of each stem. This encourages the plant to branch out, leading to a fuller, more flower-packed display come autumn.
6. Protect Them from Frost
When the first frost hit my garden, I was devastated to see my once-vibrant mums looking limp and lifeless. I hadn’t realised how vulnerable they were to cold weather. Now, I’m much more proactive about protecting them.
My Solution
If frost is in the forecast, I cover my mums with an old sheet or move potted ones into a sheltered spot overnight. This little bit of effort can keep the blooms going for a few extra weeks, and who doesn’t want that?
7. How to Winter Them Over
Here’s the part I struggled with the most: keeping mums alive through winter. I used to treat them like annuals, letting them die off at the end of the season. But after some research (and a lot of trial and error), I finally managed to overwinter them successfully.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Cut Them Back: Once the blooms fade, cut the stems back to about 4–6 inches above the ground. It’s a bit sad to see them looking so bare, but it’s necessary.
- Mulch Generously: Add a thick layer of mulch (straw, bark, or even dry leaves) around the base of the plant to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.
- Move Potted Mums Indoors: If your mums are in pots, bring them into an unheated garage, shed, or even a cool basement. They don’t need light during their dormant phase, just protection from frost.
- Water Sparingly: Overwintered mums don’t need much water – just enough to keep the soil from completely drying out.
When spring rolls around, remove the mulch and start watering regularly again. You’ll be amazed at how quickly they bounce back!
Why It’s Worth It
Keeping mums blooming longer and wintering them over isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a nice bonus). It’s about nurturing something beautiful and seeing it come back to life year after year. For me, mums have gone from being a forgettable autumn plant to one of my garden’s highlights.
If you’re willing to put in a little effort, your chrysanthemums will reward you with weeks of gorgeous blooms and the joy of knowing you’ve kept them alive through winter. And honestly, there’s no better feeling for a gardener than seeing those first green shoots reappear in spring. It’s a reminder that even after the coldest, darkest months, beauty always finds a way to return.