| I just bought some Hardy mums this week. Can I plant them in the ground later(their in containers right now)so they will come back each year. I heard sonewhere that you need to cut them back too. If so when and how much? Thank you for providing this website to ask questions. I have used it before and really appreciate your expert advise. It's a really nice service that you do for the garden lovers. Thank you, Becky Todd |
| The sooner you plant them, the better. The reason is that they need as much time as possible to become rooted before the ground freezes for winter. After the flowers fade you can trim off the dead flowers if you wish. After frost, you can cut the plant back to about six inches. In late fall, mulch around them (but not over top of them) with organic mulch several inches deep. Next spring, cut the stems back as short as you can -- close to the ground. Once they begin to grow again next spring, you will need to pinch out the growing tips or lightly shear them periodically. This helps them grow dense and bushy with more flowers. Begin when they are three to four inches high and pinch every few weeks until the fourth of July. Enjoy your mums! |
