When is the best time to plant mums? How far back do you cut them?

Question

Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA · Answer

Fall is the perfect time! I do not cut them back. Just deadhead as the blooms naturally wither and remove any brown leaves.

360 Sod (Donna Dixson) · Answer

Are you planning on planting ones that you have purchased in pots for fall color? There are several types of 'mums'. Some you can successfully plant as perennials depending on your planting zone. If the blooms are already spent you can cut them back to about 2 inches and plant in your garden to let them die back naturally then once cool weather has done its job, cut the rest of the way back and mulch lightly over the top. When spring arrives keep an eye out for new growth and uncover as they peep through. For tall blooming ones it is a good idea to cut them about 1/2 back mid summer to keep them from getting too lanky before fall bloom. Again, this depends on what you are planting to begin with. Those that are in charge of keeping our names straight botanically have reclassified and renamed some 'mums' so it can be difficult to figure out what you have especially if you buy something with a very generic name tag.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Plant them in the fall. Next season when they are half way emerged from the ground cut them back,this way it prolongs the flower production u till the fall