Fall is all about the mums

Fall is all about the mums

When I think of autumn, the very first thing that comes to mind is Chrysanthemums. They are better known as mums for short. They are easy to care for, and keep the color going up until the first frost. They require little maintenance and lots of sun.

There are many different varieties, but the easiest to grow are single, anemone and pompon. Each variety also has a specific bloom time, so depending on how early or late you want to add color; this is a factor to be considered. You can find mums in colors from white to gold, pink to burgundy and yellow to orange.

Pictured below left is the single or daisy variety, and it blooms first, usually in early September. On the right is the anemone variety, and typically blooms last, around mid-October. And finally, on the bottom center is the pompon, and it is a mid to late September bloomer.

    

   

                         Photos courtesy of todayshomeowner.com

I have included a good article on the care for mums:

                                                  Easy mum care

Nearly every mum is a perennial, meaning that it will continue to come back every year. As the blooms fade, it is recommended that they be pinched off with your fingers and this will promote even more blooms to open, and continue their beautiful color.  This is one of mine from last fall. It is the anemone variety, and my favorite mum.

Summer time...my favorite time of year

Summer time...my favorite time of year

It's early March, the wind is howling outside, and icy rain is falling on the trees. Just a few more months and days like today will only be a memory. Summer is my time of year. There is so much to attend to in the garden and it is truly a labor of love.

 Peonies are the first to flower in late May, then comes the day lilies and then the butterfly bushes. Here is a picture of one of my many day lilies; they are a creamy white and look great when the sun hits them. On the right is one of my peony bushes.

Inevitably the weeds join in, as do the bugs and various pests that like to munch on my beautiful gems. Below is a link to help identify the most common culprits.

Common Weeds


During the hot dry months, it is very important to water just about everything that is green. When plants dry out it is hard to re-balance the soil with moisture, and most of the water will run straight through the dirt. This is especially true of annuals, or plants that only live for one season.

 Many of my annuals are in pots, and pots can dry out fast. Make sure to stay ahead of the game and give a long, thorough drink to each member preferably in the evening.

 Watering guidelines


It is also very important to prune or "dead head" flowers mid season so as to encourage a second wind of flowering come August. It may seem a bit drastic in some instances, but it is actually good for the plant's growth overall. The following article is a good example of how it is done.

 Dead heading how to
Looking forward to a warm summer season...happy gardening!