I posted this question in the Far North forum, but I think this is more of a companion question...

I have a Debonaire Mum in plain sight in my front bed. It looks as dead as can be - except for a few green leaves near the bottom - and there's a nice big hole surrounding it to give it space to grow. Since it's a fall bloomer, it seems to be pretty late breaking dormancy.

What could I surround it with to hide it and give it some color in the Spring? I was thinking of interplanting (or underplanting?) it with a Spring bloomer (or a spring ephemeral?) that would fade away about the time that the Mum comes into it's own.

I not so sure that Tulips would work, since once the foliage starts to decay, THEY will be in plain sight, and the Mum will only be about 4 inches tall. Any ideas?

Also, is this the time to divide the Mum, too? It's beginning it's third year in my garden.

Thanks,

Sharon