Zuzu - -17 is cold. Yes. I admit that's cold. Anything colder than -7 (that's when boogers freeze in your nose) is cold. Where I used to live in NNY, that'd be the HIGH for the day. LOLLLLLLLLLLL Last night it got down (officially) to about 17 degs. Didn't feel that bad when I left the gym at 930 wearing just a medium jacket, sweat pants, t-shirt, & tennys.
Cindi - The big boxes aren't carrying mums there? I'd personally have her talk to a nursery first to see if they'd grow. I *think* they need a cold snap in order to bloom. I know that my asters do & I believe asters & mums are related.