7 Spectacular Heirloom Mums That Deserve a Spot in Your Fall Garden

Chrysanthemums are a fall classic, but you don’t have to limit yourself to those familiar mounds of mums found at garden centers. The Mum Project, a venture spearheaded by Harmony Harvest Farm in Weyers Cave, Virginia, is bringing back hundreds of varieties of lesser-known American heirloom mums, selling them as both plants and cut flowers. Here’s what makes these mums so special, plus some of the most gorgeous varieties to try in your own garden.

What Are American Heirloom Mums?

“Passed down for centuries through families and communities, these are old spider mums and football mums in colors that absolutely vibrate,” says Harmony Harvest Farm cofounder and flower farmer Jessica Hall.

While most common mums are treated as annuals used just for fall decorating, many of these heirloom varieties are true winter-hardy perennials in Zones 5-9. “With the right care, they come back every year,” Hall says.

Best Heirloom Mums to Plant

Harmony Harvest works with a network of growers across the country in hopes of producing enough heirloom mums to compete in the global flower market. But for now, it’s about getting as many of the plants as possible into American gardens. Here are some of the most striking varieties, many of which are now being sold by Harmony Harvest Farm and shipped as plugs in spring. Use code BHG10 for 10 percent off plants.

1. ‘Heather James’

In-curve ball flowers have a stunning two-tone look: Petals are gold on the outside, bright red on the inside. Plants produce loads of blooms and reach 36 inches tall.

2. ‘Gertrude’

Fuzzy purplish-pink petals curve in tightly on this fall stunner. ‘Gertrude’ is a mid-season bloomer, with sprays of flowers topping 24-inch-tall plants.

3. ‘Cream Jessie Habgood’

The soft ivory hue of these reflex flowers contrast beautifully with the warmer colors of fall. It has a strong presence in the landscape, reaching 36 inches tall.

4. ‘Cherry Venice’

With its bright red reflex flowers, this heirloom variety is like the cherry on top of your fall garden. Growing to around 20 inches tall, it’s a great mid- or front-of-border choice.

5. ‘Chiffon’

One of farmer Jessica Hall’s favorites mums, ‘Chiffon’ produces large blush-colored cushion flowers. It reaches about 26 inches tall.

6. ‘Moira’

This dramatic football mum has oversized flowers on stems around 24 inches tall. The two-tone blooms emerge in shades of purple.

7. ‘Coral Cavalier’

‘Coral Cavalier’ delivers big autumnal color, with massive flowers in shades of coral, rust, and rose. Plants generally reach 30 inches tall.

Mum Care Tips

Give them a strong start. Established plants can go in the ground in late summer or fall, or plugs can be planted in spring. Provide well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade, and space 1–3 feet apart to prevent overcrowding and diseases. Mums top out at a little over 3 feet tall and need staking to prevent flopping. 

Water and fertilize regularly. “Mums are heavy feeders and drinkers,” Hall says. When planting, apply 20-20-20 granular flower fertilizer and water deeply. Continue to water frequently at the base throughout the growing season and apply a second dose of fertilizer in late summer. 

Prune from spring through summer. “I pinch them back to about half their height every time,” Hall says. This will result in more abundant, manageable plants.

Cut back in winter. After blooms finish, cut back to 4 inches and mulch. In harsher winter zones (Zones 1-3), grow in containers and bring into a garage or shed until the danger of frost has passed. After several years, divide overgrown plants in spring and share with friends.