Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are the symbol of autumn decoration. Their late-season bloom cycles and remarkable color range—spanning deep reds, golds, bronzes, and purples—provide unmatched visual impact when summer flowers begin to fade. These hardy perennial and annual varieties thrive in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for creating stunning outdoor displays that last well into the season. This guide provides actionable steps to transform your exterior spaces using these quintessential fall blooms.
Choosing the Right Mums and Containers
The first step in creating an appealing fall display is understanding the two main types of chrysanthemums available. Garden or cushion mums are typically lower-growing and wider, bred for hardiness and a dense, mounding habit, making them suitable for mass plantings or foreground placement. Decorative or florist mums usually feature larger blooms and a more upright growth pattern, which lends itself well to creating vertical interest in container groupings. Select plants with tight buds that are just beginning to show color rather than those already in full bloom, ensuring the longest possible display period.
The size of the plant should correspond directly to the scale of the intended visual area, with larger specimens necessary for greater impact from a distance. Choosing the right vessel is equally important for elevating the look beyond the simple plastic nursery pot. Transitioning the mums into decorative containers like terracotta pots, galvanized metal tubs, or woven rattan baskets instantly integrates them into the fall aesthetic. These upgraded containers serve as foundational design elements, setting the stage for the colors and textures of the blooms themselves.
Outdoor Display Concepts and Placement
Strategic placement maximizes the visual effect and longevity of the mum display. Front porches and entryways offer the highest visibility and are ideal for creating tiered arrangements that draw the eye. Utilizing stands, upside-down crates, or small tables allows for varying heights, preventing the display from appearing as a flat, single plane of color. Mums require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain dense foliage and vibrant, continuous blooming, so positioning them on a south-facing or west-facing porch is generally optimal.
Walkways and paths benefit significantly from symmetrical lining, using containers of uniform size and color for a formal, welcoming approach. The repetition of color and form along a path creates a cohesive visual rhythm that guides visitors toward the entrance. For areas with less direct light, such as shaded north-facing spots, select mums that are already fully open, as they will maintain their color without needing the intense sunlight required to open new buds.
Window boxes and hanging baskets provide opportunities to introduce color at eye level, breaking up large expanses of wall or window. When using mums in window boxes, ensure the container depth is sufficient to accommodate the root ball without excessive crowding, which can lead to rapid drying. Even smaller, isolated placements, such as a single container near a mailbox or a lamp post, can provide unexpected pops of color in the landscape.
Creative Styling Techniques and Companion Plants
Creating a truly stunning fall display moves beyond simple placement and involves thoughtful styling and integration of diverse elements. A fundamental design principle for grouping containers is using odd numbers—specifically three or five—as this arrangement is more dynamic and visually engaging than even pairings. Combine mums of different bloom sizes and colors within these groupings to create complexity, ensuring the tallest plants are positioned toward the back or center for balance.
Layering is achieved by varying the elevation of the pots, often utilizing wooden crates, upturned buckets, or metal stands to lift plants off the ground. This technique adds depth and makes the entire arrangement feel more abundant. Integrate non-floral, textural elements to anchor the display in the autumn theme:
- Straw bales provide a rustic base.
- Heirloom pumpkins, bumpy gourds, or husked corn stalks introduce contrasting shapes and organic texture.
- Lanterns or strands of battery-operated lights can further enhance the vignette, offering a warm glow as evening approaches.
The inclusion of companion plants enhances the overall visual tapestry by introducing contrasting textures and cooler color tones. Ornamental cabbage and kale, with their ruffled, waxy foliage in shades of purple, cream, and green, provide a robust, long-lasting counterpoint to the mums’ delicate petals. Dusty miller offers silvery-gray foliage that acts as a neutral separator between brighter colors, adding a subtle, soft texture to the arrangement. Effective styling involves blending these elements into a cohesive scene, where the mums act as the primary, vibrant focal point.
Extending the Bloom and Post-Season Care
Maintaining the freshness and vibrancy of a mum display requires attention to a few specific cultural practices. Proper hydration is paramount; while mums appreciate consistent moisture, they should never be allowed to sit in standing water, which can quickly lead to root rot. Water the plants deeply at the base until moisture drains from the bottom of the container, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Applying water early in the day allows the foliage to dry before nightfall, minimizing the risk of fungal diseases.
Regular deadheading is the most effective action for extending the blooming period and maintaining a tidy appearance. Pinching or clipping off spent, brown blooms redirects the plant’s energy from seed production back into producing more lateral buds and flowers.
Once the display concludes, usually following a hard, sustained frost, post-season care depends on the mum variety. Hardy garden mums can often be winterized by cutting the stems back to a few inches above the soil and covering the roots with a thick layer of mulch for insulation. Annual or florist mums used primarily for temporary decoration are typically composted.