Transplanting Mums and Growing Poppies

(Question)

Hi
I just bought a pot of blooming mum’s, can I replant them in the ground once the flowers are gone or should I treat them as annuals. Can I put them in the ground now?
Also, when is the best time to plant poppy seeds? Are they legal in Canada, if it is just for gardening purposes?
Thanks

(Answer)

Chrysanthemums (or Mums) are commonly available all year as a potted plant, making them a popular indoor and outdoor specimen.  There are more than three dozen species within the genus Chrysanthemum, and a large number of cultivars within species that account for the vast array of colours and flower shapes.  There are two groups of Chrysanthemums, hardy and exhibition.  At this time of year, flowering potted Chrysanthemums have been forced to bloom under greenhouse conditions, and are typically not hardy, so they should be treated as an annual.  You can definitely plant them in your garden once the risk of frost has passed, but it’s likely they are a tender variety and will not survive the winter.   Please review this previous answer for tips on transplanting your Mum.

I assume you are asking whether it is legal to grow Papaver somniferum or the Opium Poppy, the source of poppy seeds we use in baking, but also the source of opium which is used to make both medicinal and illegal narcotics.   Technically, Papaver sominferum is illegal to grow in Canada, although it is legal to sell and possess their seeds.  Fortunately, there are a range of other poppy species, both annual and perennial, that are legal and make colourful additions to the garden.  You can review this previous answer here for suggestions on other poppy species, and this answer for tips on planting poppies from seed.  Good luck with your projects!