Mum’s the Word Now in the North

The breeding program at the University of Minnesota has produced a great selection of winter hardy mums for the North. They have concentrated on early flowering for our short seasons as well as hardiness and are now developing a line that produces large, dramatic plants. The first of these to be released is called Betty Lou, a pink mum that grows to be 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide.

The University of Iowa has found that leaving the mum plant intact instead of cutting off the top after frost, results in greater hardiness. However, you should remove spent flowers from perennial mums to prevent seeding. In most cases, the seedlings will not be like their hybrid parents.

Mulch the plants after the ground freezes and don't forget that they are one of the last perennials to make an appearance in spring, so don't count them out until you are absolutely sure. The only thing I have ever raised that waited longer to make an appearance is hardy hibiscus. Mums do require lifting and dividing often - every third year as growth begins or every other year if you have time. The center of the plant becomes less productive, so only replant the vigorous, young outer growth.

If you have not had success with mums in the past, give these steps a try and find out how great they can be.

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