Shorter days and cooler nights signal that autumn is right around the corner. Colors shift not only in our trees, but across our gardens. Chrysanthemums, those bright, cheerful fall bloomers, are suddenly everywhere. The mums stacked outside big box stores and groceries are annual florist mums: great for porch pots but not bred to survive a Minnesota winter.

For gardeners who want fall color that returns every year, University of Minnesota researchers have been breeding northernhardy perennial mums since 1977. These mums are selected for winter survival (reliably hardy in Zones 3–9), strong branching, and dependable bloom. Because mums naturally set buds as daylight wanes and temperatures cool, choosing several varieties can give you color from late August through first frost.

Cushion Mums: Compact, DomeShaped, Early Blooming

UMN’s first major breakthrough was the cushion habit, a tidy, domeshaped plant completely covered in flowers. These 12–18-inch mounds tuck easily into front borders and perennial beds. Cushion mums are ideal for gardeners who want neat, compact plants with dense floral coverage.

Upright Mums: Classic Form, Reliable Hardiness

Before cushions became the standard, upright mums dominated fall gardens. UMN still maintains hardy upright selections for those who prefer a traditional look. These grow 18–24 inches tall, with blooms held at the top of sturdy stems. They pair well with ornamental grasses and other lateseason perennials.

Shrub Cushion Mums: Mammoth™ Series—Huge Plants, Thousands of Blooms

For sheer impact, the Mammoth™ series delivers. These shrubsized mums can reach 3–4 feet across by their second year and produce thousands of flowers. Their frost tolerance keeps them blooming well into October. Mammoth™ mums are excellent for gardeners seeking lowmaintenance, highimpact perennials.

Wave Mums: Low, Wide, and GroundCovering

Wave mums form broad, low mounds with blooms nearly to the ground, creating a carpetlike “snowdrift” of color. They stay around 12 inches tall but can spread up to 24 inches, making them excellent for edging, slopes, or mass plantings.

Why Choose Hardy Mums?

Hardy mums offer:

• True winter survival
• Reliable perennial performance
• Earlier bloom periods (many begin before September 1)
• Cold and frost tolerance
• A wide range of colors and flower forms

Plant them in full sun and welldrained soil and enjoy fall color that returns every year, no more tossing out porch mums after the first freeze.

Whether you love the tidy domes of cushion mums, the bold presence of Mammoth™ shrub mums, or the spreading waves of groundcover mums, UMN’s hardy chrysanthemum program offers something for every Minnesota garden. Consider adding one, or several, this fall. They’ll keep your landscape glowing long after most perennials have faded.

More information: https://mnhardy.umn.edu/chrysanthemums

By University of Minnesota Extension