Select bushy plants with lots of leafy stems branched off at the base. Also choose plants that are budding but not yet in full bloom. Winter survival tends to be best when the plants are not in full bloom at the time of planting.

If you are trying to plant mums, plant them in sunny, well-drained places with good air circulation. Moms need at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day for maximum flowering.

Sleeping moms mulched with 4 to 6 inches of chopped leaves or straw after the soil freezes have the best chance of experiencing harsh winters or winters in which the soil constantly thaws and refreezes, say horticulturalists.

Moms are notorious eaters and need an abundance of plant food to reach their maximum development. Most gardening authorities advise incorporating generous amounts of manure or compost into the soil, along with peat moss and shredded leaves.

Moms planted in the spring are more likely to overwinter better than those planted in the fall. Extreme cold, raised roots, inadequate drainage, and the lack of a thick organic mulch could all contribute to their demise. Place the plants 12 to 18 inches apart in holes no deeper than the pots they entered. Moms grow at their best in hot weather and throughout this time they need a generous supply of water.