I have them budding in my garden in Arlington. They return each year.

I grew some fancy ones inground and they lasted a few yrs and would hv lasted more if better cared for. Now I hv WM types potted and they're on their 4th yr, better cared for than my inground ones.

I think my inground ones died from excessive watering so if you watch that, you should be successful growing them inground or potted, whether fancy or common cultivars

There are annual as well as perennial mums, so just be sure you get the kind you want.

Stores like to sell annuals because they know that you'll have to come back next year!

I get my best things at the spring & fall plant swaps, & mums are easy (if I remember correctly) to start from cuttings.

A lot of mine died out last winter but I will be planting new ones this fall. They have come back for me for years in ground.

I don't believe there is such thing as annual as well as perennial mums. they are perennials period but b/c they need some attention, like just the right amount of moisture and timely pruning, people just treat them as annuals. they're easily available at reasonable prices. why bother, some people say. Or maybe they just don't know.

Yes, there are annual chrysanthemums (mums).

Thank You so much. I planted some in pots in this weekend. I think I will try the front garden too. I didn't know if they would survive in such a warm environment. They seemed to love the cool fall in MO. I hope the people living in my old house love them as much as I did. I still think about my gardens at my old houses and wonder if they are taken care of, like you would when you give away puppies.