As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, October brings a treasure trove of magic. From festive fall foliage to pumpkin-spiced everything, there is so much to love about this spectacular season. One of the highlights is undoubtedly the chrysanthemum, or “mum” for short. These iconic fall-flowering beauties come in a dazzling array of colors and offer weeks of enchanting blooms.
In this blog post, we will explore the magic of mums in October – from choosing the best varieties to proper care and displaying techniques. By the end, you’ll have all the know-how to grow a gorgeous mum garden that looks like it was plucked straight from a storybook scene. So let’s dive in and discover how to make the most of mums this month!
Choosing the Best Mum Varieties for October
With hundreds of mum varieties to choose from, it can be daunting to pick the best ones for an October display. Here are some top varieties that are sure to bring ample magic to your autumn garden:
- Football Mums: These large-flowered, fluffy blooms come in rich shades like burgundy, orange, purple, and bronze. They make stunning standalone plants.
- Decorative Mums: Featuring big, decorative blooms, these mums work beautifully in mixed containers. Look for varieties like ‘Radiant,’ ‘Rosy Glow,’ and ‘Pumpkin Spice.’
- Cushion Mums: These compact, mounded plants flower profusely and are ideal for mass plantings. Try the varieties ‘Igloo,’ ‘Golden Igloo,’ or ‘Mei-kyo.’
- Single & Daisy Mums: Offering a more natural look, these have delicate petals surrounding a yellow center. Go for ‘Sheffield Pink’ and ‘Clara Curtis.’
- Pompom Mums: As the name suggests, these feature cute, ball-shaped blooms that add unique texture. ‘Butterball’ and ‘Bill’ are top options.
With so many types of mums, you’re sure to find ones that appeal to you and suit your planting needs. Aim for an array that offers a lively mix of colors, shapes, and sizes.
Planting Tips for Picture-Perfect Mums
One of the keys to growing thriving, eye-catching mums is proper planting. Follow these tips when adding mums to your autumn display:
- Plant in full sun. Mums thrive on a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun is ideal as it dries dew from flowers fast.
- Choose well-draining soil. Mums despise soggy soil and are prone to root rot if overwatered. Plant in sandy, loamy soil enriched with compost.
- Give them space. Allow 18-24 inches between plants so air can circulate freely and foliage stays dry.
- Set the planting depth right. Place your mum at the same soil level as it was growing in its nursery pot. Planting too deep can lead to rot.
- Water well after planting. Give a thorough initial watering to settle the roots and remove any air pockets.
Follow these simple planting steps, and you’ll get your mums off to a great growing start! Proper site selection and preparation are vital keys to success.
Caring for Mums Through the Season
Continued TLC throughout the growing season will keep your mums looking their best in October. Here are some care tips:
- Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry. About 1-2 inches per week is typically needed. Take care not to overwater.
- Feed weekly with a liquid flower fertilizer once buds appear. This fuels the profuse blooming.
- Remove faded blooms promptly by pinching or snipping above a leaf bud. This encourages more flowers.
- Monitor for pests like aphids and caterpillars. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap sprays.
- Place mulch around the plants to insulate roots and conserve moisture. Shredded bark or leaves work great.
- Cover plants if an early frost is expected. A sheet, fabric row cover, or inverted bucket can provide protection.
With attentive care and ideal growing conditions, your mums will thrive beautifully throughout fall. It’s time to enjoy their abundance of magical blooms!
Creating Stunning Mum Displays
Mums look their loveliest when artfully displayed for maximum impact. Here are some tips for creating eye-catching arrangements:
- Plant bold drifts or sweeps of a single variety and color for a cohesive look with wow power.
- Mix early, mid, and late-season bloomers together for ongoing color from September through November.
- Combine mounds of cushions and pompoms with upright decorative varieties for interesting textures and heights.
- Underplant mums with cool-season annuals like pansies, kale, and ornamental peppers for a colorful supporting cast.
- Set mums amidst autumn-toned ornamental grasses for a harmonious pairing of textures and hues.
- Use mums in containers like pots, window boxes, and raised beds for movable color all season long.
- Mass planting along walkways, borders, and near entries creates a welcoming vibe with vibrant color.
Have fun playing with height, color, and texture as you design your mum displays. Place the tallest varieties in the center and shorter ones around the edges for a professional look.
Bringing the Magic of Mums Indoors
Once autumn frosts settle in, you can extend the magic of mums indoors by:
- Selecting individual blooms at their peak to display in vases and floral arrangements.
- Cutting whole plants and placing them in containers like galvanized buckets or pots on entry tables.
- Hanging bundles of blooms upside down to dry for everlasting arrangements and crafts.
- Pressing colorful flowers between the pages of books or in wax paper for keepsake mementos.
With proper care and favorable conditions, potted mums can even rebloom indoors near a sunny window. Just be sure to water sparingly, as mums are prone to rotting if overwatered in indoor conditions.
The Many Magic Moments of Mums
There are so many reasons to adore mums in October. Their burst of autumn hues brings warmth to doorsteps, containers, and garden beds alike. Plus, their varied forms allow for endless creativity and customization. From fluffy football mums poking above a picket fence to a windowsill box overflowing with frilly pompoms, they instantly conjure up magic.
Growing mums is also quite easy and rewarding. With the planting, care, and design tips shared above, you’ll be on your way to a gorgeous, mood-boosting mum display this season. So embrace the magic of mums this October – your garden and spirit are sure to bloom!
