Grow For It! Mum’s the word — the colorful history of chrysanthemums

The Japanese celebrate National Chrysanthemum Day Sept. 9, during their Festival of Happiness. This holiday was established in 910 A.D. In their culture, the chrysanthemum flower represents longevity, rejuvenation and nobility.

During the 17th century, the mum was introduced to the western world and received its name from the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who developed the system of classifying plants by family and genus. Its name was determined by combining the Greek words “chrysos,” meaning gold, with “anthemon,” which means flowers. Early renderings portray them as simple, yellow, daisy-like flowers. Historically, mums were, and still are, the flower of choice at funerals and memorials in some European countries. This is understandable, since cut or potted mums are a long-lasting flower.

Although they still resemble daisies, ancient growers would not recognize the many petals and colors of our modern, showy hybrid mums. The U.S. National Chrysanthemum Society indicates that there are 13 different bloom forms. The blooms are composed of many individual flowers, or florets, with each one capable of producing a seed. 

Mums reached the United States during colonial times, quickly became popular and are known as the “Queen of the Fall Flowers.” Blooming from August to November, they are easily cultivated and grown. They come in a wide range of colors, sizes and shapes. Colors include shades of pink, purple, lavender, red, yellow, bronze, orange, cream and white. Some of the most popular shapes include the fanciful spider shape, spoon, anemone and pompoms, which are famous at Texas football games.

Mums are divided into two different categories: garden hardy and exhibition. Garden mums are considered an easy-care perennial, coming back year after year in El Dorado County. After blooming has finished in winter, cut back garden mums to the ground. The exhibition mums need additional care, staking and covering for cold, rainy weather protection or they may not survive the winter. Mums love the sun and prefer a sunny location. Keep them well watered whether they are in pots or in the ground. Mulching is always a good idea. In spring, tip-pinch back new growth until June to force mums to bloom in the fall.

In the Victorian language of flowers, mums represent friendship, cheerfulness, compassion, loyalty and devotion. In America, chrysanthemums symbolize respect and honor. So, as you stroll through your favorite nursery this year, don’t hesitate to pick up a few colorful pots of our delightful fall favorite, chrysanthemums!

Join Master Gardeners Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Sherwood Demonstration Garden for the free Fall into Gardening event, 9 a.m. to noon. Presentations on a variety of topics will be given throughout the day. All 16 individual gardens will be staffed by Master Gardeners who will answer gardening questions. The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is located at 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville, behind the Folsom Lake College/El Dorado Center. 

Master Gardener classes are offered monthly throughout the county. Find the class schedule at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_Education_Classes/?calendar=yes&g=56698 and recorded classes on many gardening topics at mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Public_Education/Classes.

The Sherwood Demonstration Garden is open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, through November. The garden does close when the temperature is above 95 degrees. Check our website for details at  ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_Master_Gardeners/Demonstration_Garden.

Have a gardening question? Master Gardeners are working hard to answer your questions. Use the “Ask a Master Gardener” option on mgeldorado.ucanr.edu or leave a message on the office telephone at (530) 621-5512. To sign up for notices and newsletters visit ucanr.edu/master gardener e-news. Master Gardeners are also on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.