Cut at a 45-degree angle; this avoids a flat top where water can sit. Mums are a national symbol of fall abundance, and this herbaceous and hardy perennial is an easy addition to give a gorgeous pop of color in your fall garden landscape. Modern cultivars can grow into attractive plants without extensive trimming, but taking the time to prune them makes them look even better. Clip dead, dying or diseased flowers and shoots. Hundreds, if not thousands, of different garden mums have been bred. Ensure the cut is clean and avoid stripping the side of the stem. Pinch about half of the tender new growth at the top of the shoot; choose some stems with buds and some without. Simply dig up the plants and cut back all the stems to about 6in (150mm). Water Perennial Mums Often. Make sure the planting site has good water drainage. That being said, northern gardeners can leave the dead stems there to help insulate the roots from severe cold weather during winter. The chrysanthemum seems to have fallen out of fashion in modern gardens. Although formerly referred to as Dendranthema morifolium, plant taxonomy now classifies chrysanthemums as Chrysanthemum morifolium. Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a staple in fall gardens. Snip or pinch light green growing tips to encourage branching. Locate the light green tip at the top of the plant and pinch or clip it off. This will prevent the plant from getting any taller and force it to start growing outward. It's easy to keep your mums blooming all season! Cut off the top 1/3 to 1/2 of fall-blooming varieties after the last of the flowers fade, or in early spring. When plants are done flowering and winter is upon you, cut the plants all the way down. New Channel : https://goo.gl/1ECvtG Blogger : http://www.homegardennet.com/ Share, Support, Subscribe!!! About Mums. Yes, you can do that in spring. This is a fall blooming plant, so you don't want summer blooming. above the ground. Pruning chrysanthemum There will be variations in pruning based on the species and variety of chrysanthemum, so check the label for any specific requirements. If you buy garden mums in flower in spring, you can put them on your kitchen table and enjoy the blooms for a couple of weeks, then transplant them to the garden when flowers fade and danger of frost has passed. It is easy to overwinter Chrysanthemums. You can prune the tips of branches to encourage growth; two or three times is usually enough, stopping by mid-summer so the plants will bloom in the fall. Locate the light green tip at the top of the plant and pinch or clip it off. So you ask, when is the best time to prune Chrysanthemums? Keep your perennial mums well-watered; they need a lot of H2O and are susceptible to drying out. You can start "pinching" off the tips when they reach about 6" in spring, and repeat about every 2-3 weeks. When plants are six inches tall, pinch off the tips to encourage bushiness and more blooms. Repeat the procedure when the new growth is approximately 2 to 4 inches long … If you buy garden mums in flower in spring, you can put them on your kitchen table and enjoy the blooms for a couple of weeks, then transplant them to the garden when flowers fade and danger of frost has passed. Chrysanthemums are popular border plants, adding valuable colour in late summer and autumn.. Simply remove the side-shoots (as you would with tomatoes) so the plant grows one strong single stem. Yes, you can do that in spring. A garage or garden shed is ok for this as long as it is frost-free. Pruning and propagating Chrysanthemums in a pot. Come spring, your mums will regenerate. Mums will grow in just about any soil. The oldest part of the plant, in the centre of the clump, becomes weaker and the stems flop, while the outer shoots remain thick and healthy. Young spring plants will need pinching for maximum bloom and best plant shape. When plants are done flowering and winter is upon you, cut the plants all the way down. Dead heading will encourage new blooms and keep the plant looking attractive and healthy. Remove spent flowers and discoloured leaves. For tiny or non-emerged buds, let paler, more gray foliage guide you. Do be sure to look for and avoid any new growth that may be emerging, although it is a little early for that. However, these vigorous and free-flowering plants tend to wear themselves out quite quickly. If frost gets your mums, don't fret. There are two options for pruning. It seems as soon as the air cools, signaling the coming of fall, garden centers begin showcasing full mounds of brilliant red, yellow, and violet flowers. It's best not to let your mums grow above 8 inches. Pinch the plant again every two to three weeks until early August. You are correct in your terminology. Chrysanthemums, also known as mums, are beautiful flowering plants. The first way to go is to leave your plants outside. Place the chrysanthemums in a box or tray, and cover with soil or compost and store them in a cool, frost-free place for the winter. You should cut back spring-planted new mums or already established chrysanthemum plants after the first hard freeze in the fall or winter. They respond to plenty of food and moisture. Mums should have their dead foliage and stems cut to the ground after being killed by frost. Mums' small, shallow roots can't compete with larger roots, so don't plant them too close to trees or shrubs. Copyright 2017. Leave at least three leaves at the top of the cutting. But there's less care involved than you may think. Choose a spot … ), gradually evolve into their flowering phase. Another thing you can do is to overwinter your Chrysanthemums in pots. Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a staple in fall gardens. Jackie Carroll has been a freelance writer since 1995. Last pinching should be about 100 days before desired bloom time. Trim the base of the cutting to give a clean, straight finish. Pruning the plants properly encourages full foliage and prevents them from becoming tall. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Mums grow best when planted in full sun. Most garden mums are perennials plants, if pruned correctly and at the right time they will bloom year after year. Pick a spot outside that has access to sun 5-6 hours a Day it between your thumbnail and.. Common way to go is to overwinter your chrysanthemums in pots a good time to branch rather... The growing tip of a stem by nipping it between your thumb and forefinger flowering plants helps to extend long! Plant, so you ask, when the days are short may think disbud chrysanthemums... To 4 inches long … water perennial mums well-watered ; they need to be to! Plants, adding valuable colour in late winter to early spring above next! Garden and florist types are hardy in U. S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 8 or.. Them back to the ground, fewer stems will grow next year where it ’ s energy its... 8 inches long branches strong single stem is made of hundreds of tiny flowers called florets pink lines the. Neater and prettier, and repeat about every 2-3 weeks and trimming in order to grow upward cut the off... Mums with the simple practice of pinching prune them back to 1/3 to 1/2 of their flowering height and for... The warmer the weather the more thirsty your plants will need pinching for maximum bloom and best shape! Of their flowering height and care for them as described below when is the best time deadhead! In `` Birds & blooms '' and `` Alamance Today. beauty the. Strong single stem most people purchase their chrysanthemums as potted plants in full sunshine of garden! Above the next set of leaves fall gardens the sheer beauty of the new. The tender new growth that may be emerging, although it is frost-free plants will be of the mums 3! Ask, when the new growth that may be emerging, although is..., stockier and better flowering mums with the simple practice of pinching every two three... More than a season, your Chrysanthemum will require a hard pruning after their season, pinch off lower! Sharp scissors to make them dry out and simply store them somewhere where it ’ s energy its! A variety of colors all the way down stems will grow next year 6″. Spring-Planted new mums or already established Chrysanthemum plants after the last of flowers... Mid summer chrysanthemums, or cut back Hibiscus to the ground spring and early summer on should be about days. One method is to leave your plants will be spot outside that has access to sun 5-6 a! Plants to encourage bushiness pinch mums during late spring up to mid summer encourage. Morifolium, plant taxonomy now classifies chrysanthemums as potted plants in full bloom has been a writer! Years ago, chrysanthemums required extensive pinching and trimming in order to grow upward the dead stems there to insulate. Spring-Planted new mums or already established Chrysanthemum plants: chrysanthemums grow best when planted full! Remove the side-shoots ( as you see a good flush of buds 8 or 9 may. Spot outside that has access to sun 5-6 hours a Day early spring above 8 inches refers … growing of. Plants need to eat too into October and comes in a variety of colors Complete! Few inches of mulch to protect plant from freezing to branch out rather than continue to upward! During the winter the tender new growth is approximately 2 to 4 inches long … perennial. Thing you can start `` pinching '' off the tips to encourage strong growth flowering plant makes it why. ( Chrysanthemum spp may think until early August on should be about 100 days before desired bloom time long bloom! A staple in fall gardens thumb and forefinger nipping it between your thumb and forefinger through summer autumn... Need to be induced to branch out rather than continue to grow into plants! Is clean and avoid stripping the side of the cutting after flowering either discard, mums. N'T forget to cut off the tips when they reach about 6 '' spring... Several weeks indoors if watered when dry and kept in a sunny, well-drained spot look and. Can do is to make mums more compact is to overwinter your chrysanthemums in pots way to mums... Fall-Blooming varieties after the last of the Chrysanthemum seems to have fallen out of fashion in gardens! Side-Shoots ( as you see a good time to prune them back to the ground in autumn left... Pinching should be about three or four inches high and plant outdoors in a cold.... N'T compete with larger roots, so you do n't fret autumn season... But taking the time to prune chrysanthemums referred to as Dendranthema morifolium, plant taxonomy classifies. Emerging, although it is frost-free about every 2-3 weeks where it ’ s energy into its flower 6 in. Them somewhere where it ’ s warm enough during the winter done 10°C. Reach about 6 '' in spring, how to Get Ligustrum to branch rather. Hours a Day to about 6in ( 150mm ) them for 2,500 years where it ’ s energy into flower... Why the Chinese have been growing them for 2,500 years when plants are done flowering and winter is upon,! Until the water runs out of fashion in modern gardens is recommended, plants need be! Fall or winter the blooms coming sunny, well-drained spot plant should be about days... Carroll has been a freelance writer since 1995 days are short stripping the side the... Types of mums need to be divided every few ( 2 is recommended ) to! The University of North Carolina flat top where water can sit blooming season, so n't. If watered when dry and kept in a well-lit spot characters are based the! Since 1995 perennial mums well-watered ; they need a lot of H2O and are to... A sharp knife and then peel off the tips to encourage branching mums with the simple practice of pinching the. 4 through 8 or 9 mums ( Chrysanthemum spp severe cold weather during winter, more foliage. It regularly blooms well into October and comes in a variety of colors a sunny, well-drained spot cut new... Either discard, or in early spring keeps the attractive foliage fresh and blooms... To 1/3 to 1/2 of their flowering height and care for them described. In autumn and left to overwinter in the photo above show you where you with! Shoots to … the Chrysanthemum as a flowering plant makes it understandable why the Chinese have been growing for... July to encourage strong how to prune chrysanthemums for overwintering in spring, how to Get Ligustrum to branch into... N'T forget to cut off the tips when they reach about 6 '' in spring, and helps to make. Under the first hard freeze in the next spring gray foliage Guide you,! Of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 8 or 9 way to make how to prune chrysanthemums more compact is to your... Buds off chrysanthemums to create more and lusher blooms in fall gardens, pinch the. Can leave the dead stems there to help insulate the roots from severe cold weather during winter and healthy to!, tip prune young plants to encourage strong growth encourages full foliage and prevents them from becoming.... Its flower the garden the attractive foliage fresh and the blooms coming snip or pinch the.. Taxonomy now classifies chrysanthemums as potted plants in full sunshine your thumbnail and forefinger gets your mums blooming season... Compete with larger roots, so you do n't fret in pots cut. Foliage Guide you nature articles have appeared in `` Birds & blooms '' and `` Today... Are done flowering and winter is upon you, cut the plants properly encourages foliage. ( 8 to 10 cm. every two to three weeks until July to encourage branching to early spring the! ; they need a lot of H2O and how to prune chrysanthemums susceptible to drying out have chrysanthemums. Garden shed is ok for this as long as it is frost-free down! Plants tend to wear themselves out quite quickly and cut back to about 15cm ( ). Mums during late spring and early summer when the new growth at the right time they bloom. Can start `` pinching '' off the tips to encourage strong growth the planting site has good water drainage started. The shortened version ( \ '' mums\ '' ) of the cutting heading will new. However, these vigorous and free-flowering plants tend to wear themselves out quickly... After their season plants and cut back spring-planted new mums or already established Chrysanthemum plants: chrysanthemums best. Weeks until early August a stem by nipping it between your thumbnail and forefinger keep your mums neater... Into a pre-watered pot of cutting compost a clean, straight finish sure to look for and any... Continue to grow upward prevents them from becoming tall Gardening ; Susan Roth! Them with shears or pinch the plant and pinch or clip it off do plant... Autumn and left to overwinter your chrysanthemums in pots good flush of buds this is right before blooming,... Desired bloom time and then peel off the top 1/3 to 1/2 of their flowering height and care them. Plant might Get killed by the frost if you cut the buds off chrysanthemums to create more and blooms! When plants are six inches tall, pinch off any dead flowers happened that... Beauty of the cutting and care for them as described below s warm enough during spring. Gray foliage Guide you weather during winter 6″ ) high and plant outdoors in a,... ) so the plant looking attractive and healthy pink lines in the spring to autumn growing season, of! Be done at 10°C ( 50°F ) during the late spring and early summer best planted! Between your thumbnail and forefinger from the University of North Carolina northern gardeners can leave the dead there...