Chrysanthemums(Chrysanthemum morifoliumorDendranthema x grandiflorum ) course bloom in late summertime or autumn , but that is n’t the dependable sentence to found them in cold arena if you desire them to survive winter . Although they can be hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness zone varying from 4 through 10,mums set out in fall wo n’t have enough time to root adequatelyin their new emplacement before freeze weather arrives . If you live where wintertime temperatures shine into the exclusive digits or below , institute them in late saltation instead .
Prepare Mums for Winter
In climates where freeze out temperatures are rare , prune the mama ' stem down to 8 inches once they have stop blossom , and they should require little other wintertime care . To help preserve unfearing mums in more northern expanse , institute them in well - drained soilin a protected locating , such as near a building ’s fundament . Refrain from fecundate them after July endsso they wo n’t spring affectionate new growth recently in the twelvemonth , anddon’t cut back their frost - toss off foliage in autumn . Instead , leave it on the plants over wintertime to assist protect their top , which is where roots and stems join .
Protect Mums During Winter
After the surface of the ground freeze in previous autumn or early wintertime , mulch the mums with 4 to 6 inches of a non - matting organic materialsuch as straw , pine needles or evergreen plant boughs . This measure is not intended to provide warmth for the plant life , but rather to keep them cold because intermittent freezing and thawing can uproot them . Remove the mulch and trim off the stagnant stems after the plant begin forming new growth in spring .
Take Tender Mums Indoors
If you have mums that are n’t hardy or that you did n’t get around to planting presently enough , then overwinter them under concealment . Either implant them in an outdoor cold human body in belated fall or put them in pots so that you could take them indoors .
After Robert Frost has killed their top ontogeny , cut the prow of potted plant back to 1 in in height , andplace their pots in a dark place — such as an unheated garage , basement or W.C. — where temperature remain above 32 but below 50 degrees Fahrenheit . Water the dirt in the pots about once each calendar month , or as often as necessary to keep it barely damp .
In early spring , expose the flora gradually to sunlight again on a undimmed windowsill . summarize their even tearing and fertilizing , and they should leaf anew . To be on the dependable side , wait until after the last arduous frost to move them outdoors .
