Mine are putting on new growth near the base...it takes a very hard freeze for an extended period to knock mums into true dormancy.

Is there a reason you don't want to plant it now? It is a hardy variety? Of course, I have ones that are not supposed to be hardy come back.

I have always planted mums in late fall, mulched them in well (they like lots of mulch, but not if it has just rained...wait until the ground if fairly dry to mulch) and then there they were in the spring.

If you are nervous about that, you can save a piece to root indoors.

I'm not planting it until spring because its to late to plant perennials. They should be planted at least 6 weeks before the first frost. We will be getting good hard consistent freezes within a week or two.

Vera