7 Spectacular Heirloom Mums That Deserve a Spot in Your Fall Garden

Best Heirloom Mums to Plant

1. ‘Heather James’

In-curve ball flowers have a stunning two-tone look: Petals are gold on the outside, bright red on the inside. Plants produce loads of blooms and reach 36 inches tall.

2. ‘Gertrude’

Fuzzy purplish-pink petals curve in tightly on this fall stunner. ‘Gertrude’ is a mid-season bloomer, with sprays of flowers topping 24-inch-tall plants.

3. ‘Cream Jessie Habgood’

The soft ivory hue of these reflex flowers contrast beautifully with the warmer colors of fall. It has a strong presence in the landscape, reaching 36 inches tall.

4. ‘Cherry Venice’

With its bright red reflex flowers, this heirloom variety is like the cherry on top of your fall garden. Growing to around 20 inches tall, it’s a great mid- or front-of-border choice.

5. ‘Chiffon’

 ‘Chiffon’ produces large blush-colored cushion flowers. It reaches about 26 inches tall.

6. ‘Moira’

This dramatic football mum has oversized flowers on stems around 24 inches tall. The two-tone blooms emerge in shades of purple.

7. ‘Coral Cavalier’

‘Coral Cavalier’ delivers big autumnal color, with massive flowers in shades of coral, rust, and rose. Plants generally reach 30 inches tall.

Mum Care Tips

Give them a strong start. Established plants can go in the ground in late summer or fall, or plugs can be planted in spring. Provide well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, and space 1–3 feet apart to prevent overcrowding and diseases. Mums top out at a little over 3 feet tall and need staking to prevent flopping.

Water and fertilize regularly. “Mums are heavy feeders and drinkers,” When planting, apply 20-20-20 granular flower fertilizer and water deeply. Continue to water frequently at the base throughout the growing season and apply a second dose of fertilizer in late summer.

Prune from spring through summer. “I pinch them back to about half their height every time,” . This will result in more abundant, manageable plants.

Cut back in winter. After blooms finish, cut back to 4 inches and mulch. In harsher winter zones (Zones 1-3), grow in containers and bring into a garage or shed until the danger of frost has passed. After several years, divide overgrown plants in spring and share with friends.