I always seem to begin with a cushion of continuously pinched back mums for a spot of color and wind up with

a sprawling profusion of color the next year when I fail

to attend to 'pinching back'.

Honestly, if I give them some support then a mum can grow

to rather huge diameter and height putting color over a

much larger area.

Starting a new garden, last year's Tgiving centerpiece (a qt. of stunning crimson and yellow striped blossoms)was set (I didn't say 'planted'!) among other plants I hadn't

decided where to site permanently.

As is typical for me, the mum rooted into the soil in the middle of the new veg. garden.

Too busy picking tomatoes,peppers and eggplant, I failed to attend to the pinching of the mum.

Now, when all else there is past season, this mum fills a

huge area with really stunning color.

I think I like the sprawl better than the cushion because the bloom is longer, the stalks allowed to set sideshoots with later buds. It did open buds later than the cushioned

ones but now is when I wanted that color..not October.

I hesitate to move it or to actually dig it and properly replant it same place because it seems so happy and prolific rooted out the holes of the pot on the top of the ground.

(I know..that's my excuse and I'm stickin' with it)

and..since I found two more this week on sale,past peak bloom, I'm going to treat them similarly.