Chrysanthemums? Are they perennials? ?

Question

They sell these plants now but I have found if I plant them they don't last long and die. I wondered if they were perennials and if I should be doing something to keep them alive for next years growth.

Answer 1

in the Northern states they need to be mulched over winter.  my gardener sister in WI says it's difficult to keep them alive there.

Answer 2

yes they are perennials.  I have planted the store bought pots after enjoying them in the house and they all seem to survive.  They are really a very hardy plant.  I don't know why they would not survive after you plant them.  Make sure that you give them plenty of water after planting them to give them a good start.  I have planted them in the direct sun, and partial shade and some are partially smothered by other plants and they all survive.  Just keep trying, but the water at the beginning may be the magic ingredient.  

Answer 3

"....Chrysanthemums are just about the easiest of all of the perennials to grow. They should be planted in early spring after all danger of freezing, however they can be planted almost any time, as long as they have time to establish their root system before the hottest weather. They grow best and produce the most flowers if planted in full sunshine, and respond to plenty of food and moisture.

There are hundreds of varieties of Chrysanthemums, giving you the options of height, color, flower size and time of bloom, so you can pick and choose to fit your needs when you visit the nursery. In northern climates it is wise to purchase the earlier bloomers.

Planting Mums

Chrysanthemums can be started as seeds, cuttings, divisions, or purchased at a nursery as bedding plants up to gallon sized plants. they should be planted into well prepared, fertile, sandy soil. They resent "wet feet" so the hole should be dug deeply. I would recommend that you not grow your mums in the same spot for more than three consecutive years to help prevent disease and pest problems. The plants should be spaced 18-30 inches apart for best results. Feed lightly every 2 weeks with a good balanced all purpose fertilizer. When the plants are 6 inches tall, pinch about 3/4 of an inch from each branch to promote more blooms and bushier plants. When they reach a foot tall, pinch them again. On the largest flowering types it is best to remove all buds except for the one on top...."