Most people probably think that mums are an outdoor garden plant. I have to agree…but I also bring them inside during the weeks of early fall. Before it’s time to buy pumpkins. Before it frosts and before I add touches of Halloween to my decor. Decorating with mums is easy and inexpensive. It adds amazing texture to a room not to mention a terrific pop of color.
I bought two plants at my grocery store about a week ago for $4.00 each. They were almost completely in bloom but there were still a few buds. I set them on my deck for a few days until they were in full bloom.
Gather a container and an old knife. (I am using my silver urns. A large, short pitcher or bucket would work well too.) Pull the mums out of their pots and cut off at least half of the roots. Transfer the plant to your container, water and you are finished. Voila!
I discovered some wonderful burlap ribbon at Hobby Lobby and used it to loosely wrap around the top of the urn. It sort of gathers all the stray stems in and finishes off the arrangement. I also stuck some curly willow and bittersweet in the mums but that may have been overkill. Here’s the ribbon:
Speaking of stray stems, after you place the plant in your container, cut them off. Trim them as close to the main stem as possible so you can use them in small vases. Strip the leaves and trim the ends before putting in water.
I used these tiny glass bottles for an arrangement on my sofa table. I paired them with pumpkins and lined them up like soldiers.
I think this idea would look great down the center of a dining room table or along a windowsill.
Don’t forget about your kitchen. Pair the mums with herbs and it’s the perfect thing to set on your counter or an open shelf.
Here I used basil and mums in a small, vintage ironstone pitcher. My herbs are still going strong. I have tons of basil, mint and rosemary in the container herb garden on my deck. I was worried about my basil for a while when something was eating the leaves. It rallied though and is growing like crazy.
In the coming weeks, I am going to show you ways to decorate your home with natural elements. They bring a space to life, literally. I want to do it in a frugal way as well. I’m also going to try (try being the operative word) to show you how to take your fall decor and make it work for Christmas. By keeping things as neutral as possible I think it can be done.
I’ll be back tomorrow with an exciting (ha!) Mod Podge pumpkin project. I can’t tell you how fun it was even though the Mod Podge made a mess. I promise anyone can do it too.
Here are my posts Decorating With Hydrangeas
and Decorating With Sunflowers…just in case you missed them!
The Enchanted Home says
Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 6:03 pmWow!! I am in love and smitten with your mums, absolutely fabulous, happy to find your lovely blog!!
Glenda Childers says
Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 6:34 amLovely work, Ann. I especially like the miniature pumpkins and tiny glass vases with the stray mums … all lined up like soldiers.
Happy Fall.
Fondly,
Glenda
Ricki Jill Treleaven says
Friday, September 13, 2013 at 8:23 amI never have success with mums outside, so maybe I should bring them inside, too. Pretty post, Ann!
Amy says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 11:28 pmIt all looks gorgeous, Ann! Like you, I pretty much stick to natural elements, so I can’t wait to see what you show us. I really love the mum stems in vases, lined up with the pumpkins.
Nancy says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 11:27 pmI love the simplicity of your decorating. My husband said he saw large mums for $4. each so is going to buy some next time he goes to town. That means lots of mums. Cause when he sees a good deal he always goes a little crazy. lol
Shelia says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 9:56 pmWow wow wow! Oh, Ann, the mums in the silver wine holders looks so pretty! All of your mumming :) is so lovely. No one does it better than you! ;)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Mandy says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 8:47 pmI am going get some mums tomorrow! Thanks
Grace @ sense and simplicity says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 8:35 pmThe mums look great. I agree the burlap ribbon finishes off the edges. I would never have thought to cut off half the roots and shove the mum plant in an urn. Who knew it wouldn’t mind that kind of treatment, but I’m glad to know you tried it out and it works.
Ginger Zuck says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 8:15 pmJust lovely Ann! I love the fall and mums!
debbiedoos says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 8:13 pmPicture perfect gorgeous Ann! Those mums look stunning in your silver Urns.
Moni ~ Zu Haus at Home says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 8:07 pmI love how you displayed the mums….beautiful touch of fall!
Jeanette @ Creating a Life says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 8:03 pmI love Mums in fall, Ann! Beautiful ideas!
Jeanette
Susan ~ Designs of Home says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 7:52 pmAnn, your pictures belong in magazines !
Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 7:47 pmAnn, displaying the mums in the silver urns is GENIUS! They have never looked prettier! Pinning!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 6:27 pmVery pretty! You know that piece of furniture (what do you call it?) that you got and we convinced you not to paint just knocks my socks off every time I visit you. If I had it there isn’t enough money I’d take for it. Gorgeous piece! And makes all your pretties and arrangements just that much prettier!
Brenda
Donnamae says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:51 pmGreat idea to put mums in your silver urns…they look so elegant! ;)
Jody says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:48 pmBeautiful, I especially love the sofa table arrangement! I’ve been playing with pots of {rust colored} mums today too :)
sissie says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:36 pmHi Ann,
What a lovely way to bring fall and beauty to your home with Mums. I love them displayed inside the silver urns….exquisite.
hugs
sissie
Stacey says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:34 pmThere’s no overkill there, Ann. You seem to know the exact perfect amount to use. Everything is so beautiful!
Jane says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:31 pmI never thought to use mums indoors! I love this idea and I even have some small bottles for the “strays”!!
Thanks, Ann!
XO,
Jane
Melea says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:22 pmI’ve followed you for a while now and finally got the nerve to say hello and well done! I too am frugal and love the simplicity of the mum arrangements. I’m posting in this next week on the rules and tools of design & will be using a few of your pictures as samples. You will be linked of course. Thanks for the inspiration! Melea
Charlotte says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:16 pmBeautiful Ann! I love the burlap ribbon idea too.
Xo,
Charlotte T
Cynthia says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 5:14 pmAnn you did such a great job. Things look so gorgeous. I love those pieces of silver that you always use!
Cynthia
Lisa at Texas Decor says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 4:52 pmHi Ann! I saw my local Home Depot had mums on sale last weekend, and I thought “It’s way too hot to plant mums yet!” (it’s still 95 degrees here) Well, I didn’t even think of bringing them inside like you’ve done. What a great idea! I think I may have to go back to Home Depot now and pick up a few. :)
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 4:15 pmMagazine worthy! Mums never looked more gorgeous!!! Pinning!
Shenita says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 3:32 pmAnn, your mums are beautiful! All of your containers are wonderful…I especially love the silver urns, with the touch of burlap! It’s such an elegant touch!
Penny @ The Comforts of Home says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 2:55 pmHow pretty they look in the silver urns!
Amy Renea says
Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 2:35 pmAbsolutely BEAUTIFUL Ann — should be in a magazine!