When I order mums, I expect to receive small rooted cuttings. These need to be spring planted so that they will over winter. They may bloom a bit the first fall, but it takes a couple of years before they form a large, showy plant. You didn't say where you are located (nearest big city & state) or which vendor you will order from so we can't give very specific feedback.

I am located in Southeastern Ohio. A few hours south of Columbus, OH. I was looking at the vendor GrowJoy. Thanks for your info!

This won't answer your initial question, but I have a couple of thoughts about that vendor. I tried GrowJoy with a first-time-ever order last February -- ordered two roses and three fall asters. Received the two roses last week, nice plants. BUT the 3 asters were not included, nor has there been any word about them from this vendor... I am not particularly happy, but will follow up with them this week.

I HAD thought to order some perennial fall mums from them, but hesitated. Not sure what I will do about that yet. However, they do offer a large variety of the perennial mums, which I am fairly sure will actually survive winters here in MA (zone 6-ish).

Anyway, I hope you will have a good experience with this vendor. As I also hope that I will, eventually!!

the issue of planting ANYTHING in july.. is heat and the ability to water deeply and properly .. so that a new transplant can get established ...

one of the reasons we plant big transplants in dormancy .. or early spring.. is so the roots have 6 to 8 weeks to settle down so be able to cope with mid summer heat.. especially in the midwest ... i had near 100 last week ... and im sure you getting close to it now ... one thing is how cold it get at night.. and whether there is an overnight recovery period.. and thats what usually runs out about this time of year ... im talking low 50s .. or even into the high 40s at night ...

soooooooo ... just about your only option by this time.. is to pot them up .. in some good media... and grow the transplants in pots.. in bright shade ... and then plant them in fall.. like the plants you would be buying from big box in fall ... in other words.. that what those growers are doing right now also ...

ken

and of course.. its a bit different if you were in the soggy PNW or further north.. etc ... i was being rather specific to the midwest on the answer above ... ken