Fall Mums: Your Guide to Buying Mums in the Fall: Lawn Fly

Team McFly Aug 27, 2024
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fall mums
Table of Contents
  1. Your Guide to Buying Mums in the Fall
    1. Key Takeaways
    2. Understanding the Difference: Garden Mums vs. Florist Mums
    3. Identifying Garden Mums
    4. The Purpose of Florist Mums
    5. Tips for Buying Mums in the Fall
    6. Buying Mums in the Fall: Choosing the Right Varieties
    7. Caring for Your Potted Mums
    8. Repotting and Container Choices
    9. Watering Guidelines
    10. Deadheading for Longer Blooms
    11. Conclusion
  2. FAQ

Your Guide to Buying Mums in the Fall

As the air gets crisp and leaves turn colors, fall mums arrive. These flowers bring vibrant colors to gardens and homes. They're perfect for decorating and adding life to your space.

This guide will help you learn about fall mums. We'll talk about garden and florist mums, how to pick the best ones, and how to keep them looking great. It's for everyone, whether you're new to gardening or a pro.

Buying Mums in the Fall

Key Takeaways

  • Mums are a quintessential autumn flower, with vibrant blooms in shades of gold, orange, and red.

  • Understanding the difference between garden mums and florist mums is key to making the right purchasing decision.

  • Selecting healthy, well-established mum plants from local nurseries or garden centers is crucial for long-lasting blooms.

  • Proper care, including repotting, watering, and deadheading, can extend the lifespan of your potted mums.

  • Fall mums can be used to create stunning seasonal displays, both indoors and outdoors.

Understanding the Difference: Garden Mums vs. Florist Mums

There are two main types of chrysanthemum varieties: garden mums and florist mums. They both belong to the Chrysanthemum family but are used differently. Knowing the differences between these mum plant types helps you choose the right mums for your needs.

Identifying Garden Mums

Garden mums are tough perennials that do well outside, even in cold places. They have strong roots that let them survive the winter and come back every year. This makes them a favorite for outdoor mums. These chrysanthemum varieties can handle the weather and bloom brightly in the fall.

The Purpose of Florist Mums

Florist mums are grown as annuals for indoor use, like gifts or decorations. They have shallow roots and aren't meant to stay in gardens long. Florist mums are sold in grocery stores and flower shops. They are perfect for those who want a beautiful, short-term indoor decoration.

Garden Mums

Florist Mums

Hardy perennials that can overwinter and return year after year

Typically grown as annuals with shallow root systems, not for long-term outdoor planting

Robust root system to withstand outdoor mums conditions

Designed for indoor use as gifts or centerpieces, not meant for outdoor mums

Vibrant blooms throughout the fall season

Shorter lifespan compared to garden mums

It's important to know the differences between garden mums and florist mums when picking the right chrysanthemum varieties. Whether you want to brighten your outdoor space or create a lovely indoor arrangement, understanding each mum plant type will guide your choice.

Tips for Buying Mums in the Fall

As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, it's the best time to find mums. They're perfect for decorating your porch, adding color to your garden, or as a great hostess gift. But not all mum plants are the same. Here are some tips to make sure you get the healthiest, longest-lasting mums this season.

When buying mums, choose plants with buds that are tightly closed, not fully open. These mums may not look as pretty at first, but they will bloom longer. Make sure to check each plant for damaged stems or signs of disease. Healthy mum plants have strong, straight stems and leaves that are bright and without marks.

For the best quality mums, go to reputable local nurseries or garden centers. These places are proud of their selection and offer the healthiest, strongest mum plants. Avoid big-box stores or places that might not care as much for their plants.

Remember these tips for buying mums to get mums that will do great in your autumn displays. With the right choices, your mum plants will be the talk of the town.

healthy mum plants

Tip

Explanation

Look for tight buds

Mums with tightly closed buds will last longer than fully open flowers.

Inspect for damage

Avoid mums with broken or damaged stems, which can prevent proper bloom development.

Buy from reputable sources

Local nurseries and garden centers are more likely to have healthy, high-quality mum plants.

Buying Mums in the Fall: Choosing the Right Varieties

As fall arrives, mums become key to decorating our spaces. They add color to porches and gardens. Picking the right mums makes a big difference.

Early bloomers start flowering in late August or early September. They bring color early. Late bloomers keep gardens bright until October.

Traditional colors like rust, gold, and burgundy are favorites. But don't forget about neutral shades like white, cream, and lavender. These colors create a calm, elegant look.

fall mum varieties

When choosing mum varieties, think about your local climate. Consider bloom time, sun exposure, and water needs. This ensures your mums stay beautiful all season.

Caring for Your Potted Mums

Caring for your fall mums is easy with the right steps. You can keep them looking great for a long time. Let's look at how to repot, water, and deadhead your potted mums.

Repotting and Container Choices

Mums from the nursery do well when moved to bigger pots or planted outside. Their small pots can get too crowded, need more water. When you repot, pick a container a bit wider than the old one to let the roots grow.

Use a good potting mix and plant the mum at the same depth as before.

Watering Guidelines

Water your potted mums often, especially if they're in containers. Check the soil daily or every other day. Don't let it dry out too much, or the leaves will wilt.

But, don't overwater them either. This can hurt the mums. Make sure the soil gets a bit dry before watering again.

Deadheading for Longer Blooms

Removing dead flowers, or deadheading, makes your mums bloom longer. Cut off the old flowers as they fade. This tells the plant to make more flowers instead.

mum plant care

Follow these easy mum plant care tips for beautiful mums all fall. Remember, potting mums, repotting mums, and good container gardening help you enjoy your mum container size and mum planter options.

Conclusion

As autumn leaves start to fall, mums become the star of the season. These vibrant flowers bring warmth and beauty to your fall mum displays. They make your autumn flower gardening and seasonal plant decor stand out.

Choosing between garden mums and florist mums is easier when you know their differences. This knowledge helps with mum planting tips and mum care advice.

Decorate your porch with colorful mums or add them to your landscape. These tough plants will give you months of beautiful flowers. With the right care, your mums will flourish, making your outdoor spaces feel like fall.

Let mums be the highlight of your autumn flower gardening this season. They are versatile and can be the centerpiece of your decor.

As summer ends and fall begins, let mums help you create beautiful seasonal plant decor. Enjoy their bright colors, sweet scent, and the spirit of autumn. Savor the beauty of the changing seasons with these iconic flowers.

FAQ

What is the difference between garden mums and florist mums?

Garden mums are hardy perennials meant for outdoor planting. Florist mums are usually annuals with shallow roots for indoor use as gifts or centerpieces.

When is the best time to shop for mums in the fall?

Look for mums with many tight buds, not fully opened blooms. These will last longer in your autumn displays. Check the plants for any broken or damaged stems. Avoid mums that look wilted or droopy.

What color varieties of mums are available in the fall?

Mums come in many vibrant colors for fall, like rich oranges, deep reds, sunny yellows, and crisp whites. Traditional fall colors include rust, gold, and burgundy. Neutral-toned mums in white, cream, and lavender also look great for autumn.

How do I care for my potted mums?

Mums in nursery containers do well when moved to larger pots or directly into the ground. They need regular watering and deadheading of spent blooms to keep producing flowers.

Table of Contents
  1. Your Guide to Buying Mums in the Fall
    1. Key Takeaways
    2. Understanding the Difference: Garden Mums vs. Florist Mums
    3. Identifying Garden Mums
    4. The Purpose of Florist Mums
    5. Tips for Buying Mums in the Fall
    6. Buying Mums in the Fall: Choosing the Right Varieties
    7. Caring for Your Potted Mums
    8. Repotting and Container Choices
    9. Watering Guidelines
    10. Deadheading for Longer Blooms
    11. Conclusion
  2. FAQ