Saving Annual Mums for another year. Is it possible? - Ask Extension
We bought multiple mums in early September and planted them in our garden, thinking they were perennial plants. Then we noticed the labels on the pot...
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Saving Annual Mums for another year. Is it possible? #855647
Asked November 22, 2023, 12:06 AM EST
We bought multiple mums in early September and planted them in our garden, thinking they were perennial plants. Then we noticed the labels on the pot said Annuals. We would like to save the mums for another year. Can we pull them out of the ground and put them in a dark room over the winter? What are the chances that they would live through the cold winter here in Lakewood if we leave them in the ground? They are in a raised garden garden and they were just starting to bloom when we bought and planted them. We read that they do not put much energy into roots once they start blooming.
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello there and thank you for using Ask Extension.
Most mums will survive our Colorado winters. However, planting them late in the season lowers the likelihood of survival because the roots have not had time to develop. Mums bought from a florist are also less likely to survive outside. Not sure where you purchased the mums.
Here are some recommendations:
1. If you want to experiment, you could leave some of them in their bed. Be sure to add mulch and water as needed over the winter. If we have a mild winter, they could be ok.
Here are a couple of articles that will help guide you.
Winterizing perennials:
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1020-perennials-winterizing/
Yard & Garden Chrysanthemums from Iowa State:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-chrysanthemums
Fall and Winter watering: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
If you decide to bring them inside, you should dig them up and put them in a pot. Take a look at this article for further directions.
Care of Flowering Potted plants from the University of Missouri: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6511
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Jeff C, clinician
Jeffco Plant clinic
Most mums will survive our Colorado winters. However, planting them late in the season lowers the likelihood of survival because the roots have not had time to develop. Mums bought from a florist are also less likely to survive outside. Not sure where you purchased the mums.
Here are some recommendations:
1. If you want to experiment, you could leave some of them in their bed. Be sure to add mulch and water as needed over the winter. If we have a mild winter, they could be ok.
Here are a couple of articles that will help guide you.
Winterizing perennials:
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1020-perennials-winterizing/
Yard & Garden Chrysanthemums from Iowa State:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-chrysanthemums
Fall and Winter watering: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
If you decide to bring them inside, you should dig them up and put them in a pot. Take a look at this article for further directions.
Care of Flowering Potted plants from the University of Missouri: https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6511
I hope this helps. Good luck.
Jeff C, clinician
Jeffco Plant clinic
