Mum’s the Word or Maybe it is Chrysanthemum

Fall Chrysantemum

This fall, “Mum’s” the word; or maybe it is chrysanthemum, either way it is that time of year. The night air is cool and crisp and the fall foliage abounds with an array of deep golden yellows, intense warm oranges and brilliant reds. For many, thoughts are focused on the Friday night football games and chrysanthemums which are the quintessential fall flower.

They represent so many aspects of fall, yet one of the most memorable would be the use of mums in our football homecoming celebrations. At the game, the homecoming mum can be seen everywhere from the queen and her maids to the cheering fans. A fully double spherical chrysanthemum draped with ribbons representing their school colors are often carried by the homecoming maids. Many students at homecoming sport a mum wrist corsage. Mum decorations make their mark at the royalty platform with their mass display at the base. Look back at your homecoming dance picture; it probably contains a garden mum as part of the backdrop. It is hard to picture a football homecoming without chrysanthemums. But that is not the only place you will find the chrysanthemum flower.

Halloween is the first truly fall celebration. Nothing goes better with your corn stalks and hay bales than a few strategically placed chrysanthemums. A wonderful use of the fall mum flower is a small vase of cushion mums on your candy table. You can dress up the food table at your Halloween party with a table arrangement of chrysanthemums and jack-o-lanterns.

As you leave October and jump into November, think about extending the use of this wonderful fall flower. Dress your drab porch with a stunning display of potted chrysanthemums by placing them on your steps or around your front door. At Thanksgiving consider a striking table arrangement that incorporates fall leaves, button chrysanthemums and chrysanthemum daisies in a rust-colored bowl. For elegance during the Christmas holiday, use red roses, white spider mums, silver ting and ornaments. A short profile vase with stems of Red Rover chrysanthemums would be a delight on your entry table as you greet guests for Christmas dinner.

Because of its long-lasting quality and diversity, the chrysanthemum flower is a florist staple. Most mixed vase arrangements contain some form of a chrysanthemum, although we may not recognize them. When we hear the word chrysanthemum, a picture of a garden mum comes to mind. Though they may have many of the same attributes; there are differences in a florist-quality chrysanthemum and a garden mum. The pompon, cushion, spoonbill and chrysanthemum daisy are found both in the florist mum and the garden mum. Varying slightly are the use and growing cycle of the florist-quality and garden mum. The florist-quality chrysanthemum is grown to bloom throughout the year and mainly for the beauty of the flower.

A garden mum is a perennial plant geared for fall blooming; the foliage and plant shape are as important as the bloom. When the spring and summer flowers start to look tired and worn out, the garden mum is a breath of fresh air. This wonderful flower with its wide array of fall colors (golden yellow, warm oranges, burgundies, and brilliant reds) enhances your garden as your spring and summer perennials fade away. However, fall colors are not the only option; you can choose a pink chrysanthemum or a purple chrysanthemum. Bi-color mums can also add a splash of color to your flower arrangements or garden.

It is easy to see why the chrysanthemum is a florist staple, yet it is more than just a pretty thing. It has a long and rich history. As early as the 15th century B.C., it was cultivated by the Chinese. Chrysanthemum herbal tea was used as a special treat in China during their festivals. Chinese eat salads containing the young sprouts and petals of the chrysanthemum plant. Around the 8th century A.D., the Japanese became so enamored with the chrysanthemum flower they adopted it as their emperor’s crest and official seal.

Since colonial times, Americans have embraced the chrysanthemum. It has become our fall flower of choice for decorating or gift giving. This is a flower with many different meanings and uses depending on the nationality of the user. Europeans use the chrysanthemum as a sympathy flower. Pallbearers wear mum flower boutonnières. Casket sprays contain a selection of chrysanthemums. The graves of loved ones in Belgium and Austria are adorned with chrysanthemums.

Remember this unsung hero of the flower world and embrace its diversity and availability. The next time you need a house-warming gift, call your local florist and send a beautiful potted mum. Cheer up a friend with a mixed flower arrangement containing unique spider mums. Chat with your local florist about your chrysanthemum options and use it to its fullest potential.
Fasinated by chrysanthemums, find out more by visiting The National Chrysanthemum Society.

Did you like the Cornucopia arrangement? To learn more visit Cornucopia – The Horn of Plenty.

Planning a Fall Wedding? Check out Fall in Love with Fall Wedding Flowers or Autumn Wedding Bouquet Flowers.

For more Fall flowers ideas, read Autumn in the Pumpkin Patch or Celebrate Grandparents Day with Flowers .