I love mums....always have. BUT they are sadly, something that does not do well for me no matter where I play in dirt Last year I bought 3 plants from Lowes or Home Depot. It was fall, they were beautiful, I was happy and all was right with my world. For about a New York second. Now that it is May they all have LOTS of buds. So whats up with that???? Actually I don't care as long as they bloom, are beautiful, make me happy and my world right....for at least 15 New York seconds instead of only one.

You can cut them back some so they don't bloom until later this year. Won't hurt them and will make them bushier as well.

You can also cut them back after they bloom, feed them, and get a second flush of blooms in the Fall. It is important that they be fed every two weeks and kept watered after the first bloom.

Yes, with Jean. That's what I do with mine. Also, they need to be divided every year or two. Replant the young plants on the outer edge of the clump and discard the woody center and enjoy 2 seasons of beautiful blooms.

Thanks all for the advice...one has a bloom or tthree while the other two not yet. I will cut them back after they bloom and feed them if not today then tomorrow