Mums the word for fall décor

STILLWATER, Okla. – With the official arrival of the fall season, Oklahomans are ready for cooler temperatures and fall decorating. Mums are a favorite fall plant to add vibrant color to the landscape.

Mum selection and care

Although some stores already have mums available for purchase, it’s better to wait until the temperature has cooled off, said Lou Anella, director of The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University.

“Many mums available for sale now are already in full bloom. While the color of the mums is eye-catching now, the blooms won’t last through the season,” Anella said. “Wait until the weather is cooler and look for plants that aren’t yet in bloom.”

Leaving the mums in the original container is fine for gardeners who plan to use them only for fall decorations. Mums sold in the fall are potted in an artificial soil mix and can remain in those pots throughout the fall. However, Anella said gardeners who want to perennialize and grow them in the garden should plant them right away.

Plant mums in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight. Mums thrive in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Keep the soil moist, especially during stretches of warmer temperatures, but avoid waterlogged soil because it promotes root rot. Add a layer of mulch to regulate soil temperature and control weeds.

“After the floral display is finished, trim the plants back to about 6 inches tall. Additional mulch will serve as an extra layer of protection from freezing winter temperatures,” he said. 

Oklahomans looking for mums can purchase them at The Botanic Garden at OSU from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 27, and during GardenFest from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 28. Approximately 2,000 mums were grown at the garden in preparation for the sale and GardenFest.

Plant trees and shrubs in the fall

While gardeners enjoy how mums bring fall colors to the landscape, this is also a good time of year to plant new trees and shrubs, said David Hillock, OSU Extension consumer horticulturist.

“The temperature has started to cool down and that means less stress on plants,” he said. “Planting in early fall will give the root systems of trees and shrubs an opportunity to grow and become established before winter sets in. The root systems will continue to grow as long as the soil temperature is above 40 degrees F. If we have a mild winter, the root system should be well-established by spring.”

Take care to properly handle new trees and shrubs before placing them in the ground by keeping the root ball moist. Handle the tree or shrub by the container, not the trunk or stem before planting.

Select the planting site and dig a hole two to three times the diameter of the root ball but no deeper than the root ball. Place the tree or shrub in the hole and fill with the removed soil. Hillock said it’s not necessary to add amendments to the soil.

“Newly planted trees and shrubs should be watered well at planting and during establishment – about an inch per week. If it’s exceptionally windy or we experience a warmer-than-normal fall, water requirements will increase,” he said. “Add up to 3 inches of mulch but be sure to keep it about 4 inches away from the base of the plant.”

While some gardening activities will slow down in the fall, gardeners can still keep the landscape colorful and interesting with mums and new trees and shrubs.

OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.