Mammoth Red Daisy Mum
Mammoth Red Daisy Mum
A University of Minnesota Hardy Red Mum That Returns Every Year
Mammoth Red Daisy Mum (Chrysanthemum 'Mammoth Red Daisy') is part of the celebrated Mammoth series bred by the University of Minnesota for our toughest winters — a true perennial garden mum that comes back and grows larger each year, not a throwaway florist mum. It forms a huge cushion up to 3 to 4 feet wide, covered in rich red daisy-form blooms with golden centers in fall. Cold-hardy to zone 3, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly, it's a Minnesota-bred staple for sunny borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Mammoth Red Daisy Mum Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Chrysanthemum 'Mammoth Red Daisy' |
| Mature Size | 24–36 in. tall, 36–48 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy; bred by the U of M for cold climates) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Late summer into fall |
| Flower Color | Red daisy with a golden center |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates clay; prefers good drainage over winter |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 3 — a true returning perennial mum |
| Deer Resistance | Usually avoided by deer |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Fall-color anchor: Its huge cushion form gives a shrub-like mound of red fall color. Space 3–4 feet apart for full size.
Pollinator and cut-flower gardens: Late bees and butterflies work the flowers, and the blooms are great for fall bouquets. Pair with asters, ornamental grasses, and sedum.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) is strongly preferred so the plant establishes deep roots before winter — the key to hardy mum survival. Avoid fall planting; fall-planted mums often fail to overwinter.
How to Plant Mammoth Red Daisy Mum
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 3–4 feet apart. Pinch the tips once or twice in early summer for a denser, more floriferous dome.
Watering Mammoth Red Daisy Mum
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly through the season to build strong roots. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Water during dry spells; established plants are fairly drought-tolerant. Leave the dead stems standing over winter for crown protection and cut back in spring.
Q: Is this different from the mums sold at stores in fall?
Yes — this is a U of M-bred hardy perennial mum that overwinters and grows bigger each year, unlike florist mums, which usually aren't winter-hardy here.
Q: Why plant in spring instead of fall?
Spring planting gives roots a full season to establish, which is essential for surviving Minnesota winters.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — bred specifically by the University of Minnesota for zone 3–4 winters, with good drainage.
Q: Should I pinch it?
Pinch the growing tips once or twice before early July for a fuller, more flower-packed dome.
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Mammoth Yellow Quill Mum (Chrysanthemum): A quilled yellow mum from the same hardy U of M series.
Aster: A classic fall pollinator partner.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium): A native grass for fall texture.