The anemone-type mum has darker, shorter petals in the center of the bloom. There are hardy mums available in most flower forms. Add in the almost unlimited color options with flower forms and selection can easily become overwhelming. When planting mums select a sunny site with well-drained soil. Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart to allow for sufficient growth.
Spring is the best time to plant garden mums.
Spring-planted mums establish quickly and are more likely to overwinter. The winter survival rate for mums planted in late summer and fall is much lower because they do not have adequate time to establish in the landscape. Therefore, fall planted mums should be considered an annual in the garden and replanted every year. To ensure compact, bushy plants with tons of blooms, pinch mums several times in spring and early summer. Pinching requires removing the shoot tips forcing the plant to produce additional shoots along the stem.