Mums budding early?

So guess what I found out? I have been pinching out my mums - but apparently, what I should have done is rooted the pinchings, 'cause apparently mums are easily propogated this way.

These are brand new mums that I ordered from Bluestone Perennials. Next year I will make sure I root some pinchings so I have some to give to the neighbours. (which btw, are now starting to plant flowers in pots and boxes, hanging baskets, and in little gardens at the base of their stairs . . . )

a little root tone.... some water & light.... all six of my cuttings rooted pretty quickly... they are already transplanted in bigger containers and hardened off ... so far so good

Well, it's too late this year . . . but next year! You should show us some pictures of your baby mums, onewish1 :-)

I can't wait to see photos of everyone's mums in full bloom.

Mums are not one of my favorites.

Not mine either, hence the one lonely mum.

Yeah - but what else blooms in October?

I have a number of things.

Such as . . . . .? Newbies want to know :-)

Oh yes, Victor. Please do tell. We have the roses still blooming and the wave petunias and even the pansies look decent - not great. We have the ever-present marigolds, some daylilies, but other than those few plants and my wonderful clematis, the garden looks rather barren at this time with most of it going to seed.

So getting some ideas from you would be wonderful!!

Asters.

Taken Oct. 19th, 2006

Asters, as Pirl pointed out, Heliopsis, hardy Geranium, Sedum, Buddleia, Japanese Anemone, Heptacodium (shrub), some Crapes are still blooming, Roses, as Candyce said, Hydrangea paniculata (beautiful blush pink at that time), Euphorbia 'Chocolate' (though I hate it now since it's so invasive).

I'll probably think of more.

Don't forget how important it is to have trees / shrubs that give good fall color. Combine those with blooms and I think the Fall is the best time of all. Weather is nice and cool too so you can get out and enjoy it, and plant more as well!

Thanks Victor. I'll keep all of those in mind as I long for the new year of gardening. I like, but don't love, the asters. But there must be some aster that I like. I'll have to try the sedum and the heliopsis, as it seems EVERYONE has mums and / or asters.

I'm not big on Asters either. Especially the tall ones.

Purple Dome is a much neater variety. Stays much more compact and doesn't get so weedy looking.

Yes - that's the only one I've planted.

Now that is one pretty aster,ngam

When my wife asks me for something nice in Fall, I give my Aster her.

groan . . . .

I'm groaning with you, Seandor.

Me too. Back to Mums...

Caryopteris is a nice fall bloomer. If you don't have Sedum 'autumn joy' you are really missing out. It has blue-green & interestingly shaped foliage, a nice compact habit (pruning helps), and the flowers change from pinkish to deep red as they mature.
I like mums a lot, but since they are around all spring and summer taking up space in the garden I do wish the foliage were more interesting.

Good one aspen - forgot about Caryopteris. I have a few different ones. There is a pink one now too - don't have it yet.

Candyce, I have a yellow mum that looks like yours that's blooming now also.

Currently, my mums form a little hedge between the driveway and the lawn - sort of like a low box hedge - but I have the benefit of wonderful fall flowers. :-)

Victor where did you see the pink Caryopteris?

Seandor, I love that idea! My neighbor just dug out the ugly hedges that were separating our front yards (thank goodness!) and I was thinking about planting daylilies there, but I like the idea of mums better. Is your hedge of mums all the same color?

It's still new so not too many carry it. Here's a link.

http://provenwinners.com/plants/detail.cfm?photoID=7716&doSearch=1&searchProgram=ColorChoice%C2%AE+Flowering+Shrubs&

flowerjen:

Would you happen to know the REAL name of the yellow mum, then? My tag just says 'Garden Mum' - and I say 'duh!'

Victor:

Thanks for the link to the Caryopteris. That's definitely worth considering!

Plant tags for mums have to be the worst and the least informative.

I so agree, pirl ... but a girl can hope, right?

Aspenbooboo31: No the hedge is short - the first part is three blue asters, followed by 3 bronze coloured daisy mums, then three football mums in coral, then three jumbo sized in red (well, really dark burgandy). The colours were choosen because I once saw them used in a floral arrangement - absolutely stunning.

On another garden, I use white wax begonias for the same purpose. They have bright green leaves, lots of white flowers and grow to about 15 inches tall - it's a very effective hedge for a garden of predominantly blue and purple flowers.

Lovely, Micheala. Do you have a photo, or is that a photo op we will have to anticipate?

That sounds very nice Seandor. Can't wait to see a pic of that in a month or so! I just did my mum hedge today, but a very short one since my front yard is tiny. I bought three small mums, white with yellow eye, and alternated them with two large mums I already had which are either burgundy or orange. Looks so much nicer than the boxwood hedge.

Yes, thanks for that link Victor. So do we call that pinkbeard ? lol

Candyce, The mum was here when we bought the house so I have no idea, sorry.

If you enlarge this picture, you will see in the background the mini-hedge of white wax begonias. It's not the best picture . .

Beautiful!!! That's a great shot. I love that walkway.

beautiful garden, seandor

I love the lush look of it. Good job.

Great looking pathway, luv the stones. The little white flowers just pop on the edging, great choice with the white fencing and arbor. Hydrangeas aren't bad either. :)