Contact Us
309.691.4561
Location & Directions
Ask your Expert
Garden Center Hours
Winter Vacation
Garden Center Opens
February 13, 2012
Chrysanthemum Facts
Annual or Perennial?
In Central Illinois, mums are typically annuals or short-lived perennials. Because our climate makes mums difficult to over winter, they are not covered by our perennial plant guarantee.
Location
Mums perform very well in containers and in the ground. They can add an immediate splash of color to your patio or garden, and generally maintain their blooms for several weeks.
When planting mums in the ground, select a location in full sun. Plant your mums in well-drained, moist soil. If you have heavy or clay soil, incorporate a lot of peat or compost before planting.
Fertilizing
Mums perform even better with fertilizer. Apply Osmocote two times a year, or apply Nursery Select Miracle-Gro two times each month. If using Miraclo-Gro, fertilize from spring through the end of July, but do not fertilize after July.
Mulching
Apply a loose winter mulch after the ground freezes. Pine bark, straw, or shredded bark are effective when applied loosely. Avoid packing the mulch down.
Pruning
Do not cut down the plant until spring. Research has shown that leaving the stems and foliage on the plants for the winter greatly improves their survival rate. Prune the plant back around the last week of May.
Pinching
Mums have the best flower display when they are consistently pinched. Pinch the stems once a month in May, June, and July. Pinch just the very tip of each stem. This creates bushy plants and assures a vibrant flower display by fall. Occasionally, mums do flower in the spring. If so, begin pinching after the spring flower. Begin pinching on May 15th, and stop after mid-July.
Dividing
Plants that over-winter annually are most vigorous when divided every year or two. See the Growing Guide: “Dividing Perennials” for more information.
Varieties
At Hoerr Nursery we offer many varieties of mums. Check out our colorful selection beginning in late August and lasting through the fall.
Gift Cards - Order Online
The perfect gift for any occasion!
Order Now!
Hoerr Nursery | 8020 N Shade Tree Drive | Peoria, IL 61615
Just North of the Shoppes on Route 91 | 309.691.4561 | Contact Us
© 2011 D.A. Hoerr & Sons, Inc.