I have a mum described to be winter hardy. It did okay without extensive protection. However if you are concerned, just do as you would protect tender hardies. Do not hardprune, leave as much branches and foliage on the plant and mulch heavy. The branches and the mulch will provide steady temperatures to the plant.

ianna

Most mums will survive with limited protection. However, they need pruning and pinching over the summer to look good in the fall. They can get rangy looking if not pinched.

I treat my mums like annuals -- they are inexpensive.

In the summer it's fine to prune. But don't prune in the fall so it will survive winter. The foliage and branches act like mulch and will help keep the roots alive during the cold season.

Good advice, ianna. I am thinking that this year, because there is a wind tunnel on the side of the house where the mums are, that I would build a little wooden box or some sort of plastic ring to fit around the sides of the mum plant, and then fill with leaves. Of course, it would be open on the top, but it would provide a leaf and snow trap, so it doesn't get overly exposed. I would do this for all 11 plants.

Any thoughts?

jroot, you sure don't mind to work.

I have purchased a good number of the field grown Mums this year, and have them just now making a pleasant entrance to my front steps

Am going to though, unpot them after Thanksgiving and put them directly into the garden.

So you say, folks, not to cut them back just leave the flowers etc. on and mulch.

If they make it good and if not, well that is how it goes

Sure are some nice colours nowadays.

I love those chrysanthemums that one used to see more so, at least from a florist with the bigger kind of curved petal balls

Last time I saw them growing, was at Minter Gardens in B.C.
One of my favourite places as is Brian Minter a favourite person