Chrysanthemums, or mums, deliver one of the most reliable and varied displays of fall color, with bloom forms ranging from simple daisy shapes to dense, ruffled pompons.
Cultivated in China for over 2,500 years and later adopted throughout Asia and the West, chrysanthemums remain one of the world's most widely grown flowers. Modern breeding has produced thousands of cultivars in nearly every color except true blue.
In Japan, the chrysanthemum represents the Imperial family and longevity, while in much of Europe it's associated with remembrance and used at gravesites — a reminder that flower meanings can vary significantly by culture.
Chrysanthemums want full sun and well-draining, fertile soil, and pinching back stems earlier in the season encourages the bushy, floriferous growth mums are known for. Hardy garden varieties can overwinter in the ground in many climates, while florist mums sold for fall decor are often treated as annuals.
Chrysanthemum flowers have been brewed into tea for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, valued for their cooling properties and used to support eye health and reduce inflammation.
