Chrysanthemums (Mums) often appear for sale at your local garden center or grocery store long before summer is over. But hold on, it’s not time for the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.  How long do mums bloom, and when is the best time to plant them? A favorite for outdoor fall decor, mums burst into bloom just when your summer-flowering plants like zinnias and petunias start winding down in the cooler autumn weather. That's why a few potted mums on your porch seem like a no-brainer for transitioning from summer into the next season. But don't be in a hurry if you want your plants to last. Even though retailers start selling mums well before fall begins, you may want to hold off on buying them. 

Mums prefer cooler temperatures, which can be problematic if you buy them when they're first available and it's still getting to 90°F during the day. In the heat, all the flowers will fade in only a few weeks, so you'll have to replace them faster to keep up a colorful show through the season. 

If you wait until things cool off before setting out your mums, you'll be treated to blooms for up to 8 weeks once the plants are in place. And if you get a few warm days here and there after cooler weather arrives, you can stash your mums in your house or garage until temps drop again. 

Hardy (or garden) mums are perennials if they're correctly planted and given the proper care, making them a good choice for brightening your fall garden.  They likely won't survive the winter in colder climates if you plant garden mums in the fall. Instead, you can try letting the plants go dormant in their pots and keeping them in a cold but frost-free indoor spot like a garage until the following spring. Then, you can plant the mums in your garden once the soil has warmed up. If your plant is still alive, you should soon see new growth from the roots. 

When buying your fall plants, choose mums that are still budding and not in full bloom when picking out plants. You'll be able to have beautiful flowers from Halloween through Thanksgiving. Mums the Word