Mums are our favorite fall flower!
It’s time. The moment is here. A charming fall front porch is in your future, and it all centers around one specific star flower. Mums are quintessential fall! They add a splash of autumn color to a space and a cozy, inviting feel to an entrance. But because they don’t last long, you want to time it right.
Brian Lloyd, from Olson’s Greenhouse, shared the basics on mums.
Timing Your Mums
The best time to buy mums for fall is when the nights start getting longer. “We time them so that some will come on later if you’d like to have them later into the season,” Brian said. Typically, mums will last about four to six weeks in bloom, but as the nights cool further into late September and October, they can last more than eight weeks.
“What I like to do is start with some mums end of August, right about now, and then replace them mid October and then they’ll carry me through to Thanksgiving,” Brian recommended.
Caring for Your Mums
To keep your mums looking their best, watering is important. “The best way to water mums in pots is from underneath,” Brian advised. “Stick them in another bucket of water and let them soak it up for half an hour.” This method prevents over-watering and keeps the leaves and flowers intact.
Mums are full sun plants, but once their blooms are set, they can thrive in full shade, making them perfect for front porch decor.
Color and Variety
Mums come in a variety of colors, catering to different tastes throughout the season. “This early season, people are liking the jewel tones, the more summer colors, the purples for sure. Then later on golds and yellows,” Brian explained.
As the season progresses, oranges, reds, and bronzes become more popular. “Mums come in colors for everybody.”
Complementing Your Mums
In addition to mums, consider mixing in other annuals and perennials! “You can buy grasses like purple fountain grass, coleus, or celosia, anything with that foliage color really stands out well against the flowers of fall,” Brian recommended. These combinations can extend the visual appeal of your porch well into Thanksgiving.
Did you know mums can be planted close together to form a hedge? “You can spread them out a foot apart and they’ll turn into a hedge,” Brian said.
Find more flowers at ogg.com.
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