Sunday Roll Call

They can be coddled to come back in the spring. There is a whole science to them. I have not tried to figure them out yet; maybe when I retire and have more time. Maybe Dawn knows more about them. She likes to garden also. With where you are at near U of I you should have them into November. Check to see when your last frost will be for the area. You can also extend the color by watching the frost warnings and putting old sheets or weighted down newpaper overnight.

 Chris

I am pretty sure that you cannot bring them back.  My dad was head of Horticulture at the U of I so I gained my knowledge first hand from an expert.  

I had a lot of mums growing in my yard when we moved in 32 years ago in May and they kept coming back. From everything that I read on the internet with proper care you can get them to come back but it takes work.

That is neat to know about your dad's connection to U of I. Was he part of the Extension program also? I love their website and recommended it to Crystal.

 Christine, yes, mums planted in the spring WILL come back but not mums planted in the fall.  They must have time to establish a root base and fall is not long enough.  That was what I said to Crystal.  

Dad was a part of extension.  He was most famous for inventing the use of hardwood mulch (bark) for use in landscaping materials.  

Thanks for the info on the mums.

That is neat about your dad's history with the extension. My mom utilized their services when I was a kid and when I decided to start gardening more and more I went there for info also.