Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are versatile and beautiful flowers that add color and elegance to your garden. With their wide range of colors and forms, mums can be used in various ways to create stunning displays and complement the existing elements of your landscape.  At Natrop’s Nursery, we grow 80 different kinds of mums. Here are some creative ideas on how to use mums in your garden:

1. Fall Borders and Beds

Mums are synonymous with fall, making them a natural choice for enhancing your autumn garden. Plant them in borders or beds to create vibrant, seasonal displays. Choose a mix of colors harmonizing with the changing foliage, such as deep reds, oranges, and yellows. Mix mums with other fall-blooming plants like asters, sedums, and ornamental grasses for a well-rounded look.

2. Container Gardens:

Mums are excellent candidates for container gardening, adding a pop of color to patios, porches, and balconies. Select decorative pots in various sizes and fill them with a single color of mums or create a mix of complementary hues. Add trailing plants like ivy or ornamental cabbage for added texture and interest.

3. Focal Points and Accents:

Use mums as focal points or accents in your garden design. Plant a group of mums in a bold color near a garden entrance or at the center of a circular bed to draw attention. Their vibrant hues naturally attract the eye and serve as captivating focal points.

4. Seasonal Pathways:

Line garden pathways with mums to create a picturesque walkway. Choose a single color or alternate between colors to create a sense of rhythm along the path. The mums will lead the way with their captivating blooms.

5. Mixed Plantings:

Integrate mums into mixed plantings to add bursts of color amidst your existing perennials, shrubs, and trees. Their late-season blooms can extend the visual interest of your garden as other plants begin to fade.

6. Hanging Baskets:

Mums can be grown in hanging baskets to create a stunning display. Opt for compact varieties that will thrive in the confined space of a hanging basket. Mix mums with trailing plants or ivy to create a lush and abundant arrangement.

7. Seasonal Wreaths and Decor:

Harvest mums’ blooms to create seasonal wreaths and decorative displays. Combine them with other fall elements like pumpkins, gourds, and corn stalks for a charming autumnal atmosphere.

8. Monochromatic Themes:

Explore the impact of a monochromatic theme by planting mums of the same color throughout a specific area of your garden. This creates a striking visual effect and a sense of unity.

9. Garden Edges:

Use mums to define garden edges and boundaries. Plant them in a row along the edge of a flower bed or border to create a clean and colorful separation.

10. Window Boxes:

Add curb appeal to your home by planting mums in window boxes. Coordinate the colors with the exterior of your house for a cohesive look that brightens up your façade.

Chrysanthemums are versatile and adaptable, allowing you to explore various ways of incorporating them into your garden. Whether aiming for a stunning fall display or a pop of color, mums can be a fantastic addition to your outdoor space. With creativity and careful planning, you can use mums to transform your garden into a vibrant and captivating autumn haven.

Have questions? Ask our mum experts!