How to Care for Mums

Mums are beautiful flowers that believe it or not, are not too difficult to care for, even for someone with a black thumb like me. The word mum is actually a shortened nickname for the flower's real name: chrysanthemum. Interesting in growing mums in your own garden? Read this first.

5 Things You Should Know About Mums

1. Buy the Buds
To maximize the bloom's life span in your yard, buy the mums that are still in bud form. Patience is a virtue, and it will pay off when your bright fireworks of color last longer than those of your neighbors!

2. Less is More
Don't go overboard with mums when landscaping. A few plants make a big impact, so use them sparingly.

3. Bigger is Better
Yes, I just said less is more. But bigger is better. Buy the largest mum plant for maximum impact; they're no less easy to take care of and are so much more beautiful.

4. Moist is Best
Avoid over-watering your mums, as they grow best in moist (not wet) soil.

5. Prune Away
Be sure to remove spent blooms to encourage growth for the rest of the plant. Think of how often your trim your hair to prevent split ends; the concept is similar!

Get more information from the National Chrysanthemum Society.