Mums have practically become a staple of fall right up there with pumpkins and ruby-colored leaves, blossoming beside jack-o’-lanterns on porches and patios as soon as summer starts winding down.
Some gardeners, however, are reaching for marigolds instead. The familiar yellow, orange, and red flowers can deliver many of the same autumn colors while asking for a bit less attention.
In a Sept. 3 article, The Spruce shared insights from gardening professionals who recommended marigolds as an easier and often less expensive alternative to potted mums, especially in warmer climates.
And the idea predates this year’s trend. Mississippi State University Extension has documented a longstanding Southern practice of planting marigolds for fall color, where they are sometimes nicknamed “mari-mums.”
Mums Aren’t Going Anywhere, but Marigolds Have Some Advantages
File Photo. Image Credit: Julia Kwiek on Unsplash
Potted mums can require frequent watering, especially on days when early fall still feels like summer. Alexis Chavez, CEO of MC Landscaping & Hardscape in North Carolina, described container-grown mums as “simply too fussy” for his region, as reported by The Spruce.
Marigolds tolerate drier conditions and can keep flowering until frost. The University of Minnesota Extension describes them as fast-growing, low-maintenance annuals that bloom abundantly in full sun, making them more enduring than the usual mums.
They also blend in naturally among the traditional fall color palette. Depending on the variety, marigolds bloom in shades of yellow, orange, gold, copper, and red, making them a festive addition to any yard or front steps.
For porch pots and other containers, compact French and Signet marigolds can be especially useful because they stay relatively tidy.
None of this means mums are a bad choice. More hardy garden mums can provide dependable late-season blooms and, unlike annual marigolds, some varieties can return year after year when planted under the right conditions. In an Aug. 25 guide, the University of Minnesota Extension noted that properly selected hardy mums can bloom from late August until the first frost.
A Little Care Can Keep Marigolds Blooming Until Frost
For the best display, marigolds need plenty of sunlight. Penn State Extension recommends allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings before watering deeply.
Removing faded flowers can encourage the plants to keep blooming. Compact varieties are generally the better choice for porch pots, while taller African or American marigolds can make more sense in garden beds.
Gardeners can also lean into the fall look without trying to swap every mum for a marigold. Emma Daugherty of Bath Garden Center and Nursery said in The Spruce that she pairs them with burgundy or purple foliage, ornamental grasses, and pumpkins.
Marigolds will eventually have to yield when freezing weather arrives, but until then, they can provide weeks of bright color. For gardeners who like the traditional look of fall mums but not the watering and maintenance that can come with them, this summer classic may be worth keeping around among the pumpkins.