They are
also called “hardy” mums in some older circles; but hardy is a bit of a
misnomer. It may have been common place in days past that they would keel over at
the drop of a hat, or not come up at all until somebody hybridized some toughness into them. But even
with that little bit of genetic machismo newbies to your soil will need some
protection this winter.
But
first let’s talk about planting them,
They
need full sun; shade makes them grow leggy and stretched. The hole should be
dug twice as wide as the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. If planted
too deep the plant will use up its reserves struggling to get stems to the
surface next year, causing no flowers the following fall. Back fill with rich
topsoil; to get lots of flowers they need lots to eat.
When
prepping them for winter, cut, or break off, the stems when the leaves start too
brittle up.
Pile
leaves over them to insulate them from the bitter winter cold, holding them
down over the plant with chicken wire. This will slow the quick freezing and
thawing; they can handle temperature down to -20; they just can’t handle
getting there quickly and then coming back up quickly.
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