Mum 'Orange' (Chrysanthemum × morifolium) | $6.99 | 4-inch pot🌿 Quick Facts: • Native Status: Cultivated hybrid (non-native) • USDA Growing Zones: 5-9 (fall-planted mums often treated as annuals) • Height: 12-24 inches • Spread: 12-24 inches🌺 Bloom Details: • Season: Late summer to fall • Colors: Orange • Flower Type: Densely petaled double flowers in generous flushes • Bloom Period: August-October☀️ Growing Requirements: • Sun: Full sun • Water: Moderate — keep evenly moist, never bone dry • Soil: Rich, well-draining • Spacing: 18-24 inches apart🦋 Pollinator Benefits: • Birds: Minor seed value • Native Bees: Moderate — single-flowered types offer more nectar • Butterflies: Late-season nectar for butterflies • Beneficial Insects: Some value for hoverflies🌱 Plant Care: • Spring: If overwintered, cut old stems and pinch through June for bushiness • Summer: Water consistently; pinch tips until early July • Fall: Peak bloom — the classic fall display • Winter: Mulch after the ground cools; fall-planted mums often don't return in zone 5🤝 Companion Planting: • Perfect paired with: Ornamental Kale Pansies Asters Pumpkins ✨ Unique Characteristics: • Signature fall color • Long-lasting blooms in pots and beds • Pairs perfectly with pumpkins & gourds • Pinch until July for a fuller plant • Note: best treated as a seasonal annual here • Mildly toxic to pets
