Expert: C.L. Fornari - 10/15/2007

Question
I went a little mum nuts and bought way too many this year.  I have flower boxes on my porch that never have anything in it during the fall/winter months.  Is there anyway that I can divide these hardy mums up and plant in the flowerbox?  Or do they have to remain in one "hardy" clump?

Thank so much
Laurie in NJ

Answer
Laurie,
It's unlikely that there is more than one plant per pot, so you can't divide them this year.  If they make it through the winter you can divide them next year...the "hardy" just means that it will go through several light frosts, not that they'll be winter-hardy. (Some are but some are not)  If you want them to live through the winter, be sure not to cut down the foliage until spring, and water them well once a week if it doesn't rain, well through November and into December.

If you don't have enough to fill the window boxes, plant one in the center of each box (as many as you have mums for) and fill the sides of the boxes with lots of twigs and perhaps some dried grasses, gourds, etc.  Or plant them in a basket or some other container you already have, combined  with the same twigs, grasses etc for a display at the front door.

I hope this helps!
C.L. Fornari
www.gardenlady.com