One of my best garden purchases during 2023 was that of several small hardy mum plants. Supposedly, I bought several colors, but the pink variety flourished. The plants grew tall and they reproduced abundantly.

During January of 2024, my garden suffered a crippling freeze. It sleeted for two days and the temperature dropped to the single digits for about a week.I managed to cover some of my tender shrubs with plastic, but I didn’t cover the patch shown in the photo above. On January 18, the shun shone on that spot for a couple of hours, and the ice melted enough that I saw my hardy pink mammoths peeking above the ice. Notice that the leaves are still green. Now, that’s what I call hardy mums. I believe that this bunch is Hardy Mammoth Pink. This plant has also been prolific. I set one plant here during the summer, and it has produced numerous babies.

Mammoth Pink Mums and Native Oldfield Aster in Jacki Kellum Garden 2023

In the above photo, you see that the mums are tall and spindly. They are growing next to a stand of Native Oldfield Aster. Those plants are between 4 and 5′ tall.Because I like a natural look in my garden, that doesn’t bother me, but here is how to prevent that legginess:

” Hardy chrysanthemum plants can grow 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the cultivar, with a spread sometimes equal to the height. To keep them growing optimally, they should be planted in a full-sun location that receives at least six hours of direct sun per day. Plants requiring full sun that are planted in shady areas will often stretch for more sunlight and grow straggly. The soil should be well-drained and kept slightly moist.

“Tall hardy mums will also need to be pinched back beginning in late spring when the plants are about 6 inches tall and continued every two to three weeks. Regular pinching will keep them compact and prevent them from growing too tall; however, plants should not be pinched later than the Fourth of July to assure good bud development and gorgeous blooms before the threat of freezing fall or winter temperatures. Shorter varieties will not need pinching to keep plants compact, but pinching can be done to delay flowering.” Chicago Botanic Garden

“When searching for an accent plant with vigor, style and a substantial size, look no further than this giant mum! During the last weeks of summer, the seasonal perennials are fading from the garden, Pink Daisy is just getting started, producing plenty of pretty, deep pink flowers with sunny yellow eyes. The blooms are daisylike in form and grow to 3-4″ wide. The lovely flowers, which fade to a lighter pink hue as they age, make a fine contrast to the russet tones of fall. Place Pink Daisy near an entryway, along a walkway or even in a decorative container that can be moved around the property. They are very hardy and grow to 3½’ tall and up to 5′ wide by their third year. Plant in well-drained, humus-rich soil for best results.” Michigan Bulb Co.