The chrysanthemum is a globally recognized flowering plant, particularly famous for its vibrant presence during the autumn season. These daisy-like flowers are a staple in fall decorations and gardens, but their name often causes confusion. Many people wonder if the formal name “Chrysanthemum” refers to a different plant than the familiar “Mum.”
One Name, Two Uses: Clarifying the Terminology
The straightforward answer is yes, chrysanthemums and mums are identical. “Chrysanthemum” is the formal, scientific name for the genus of plants in the Asteraceae family. This genus name is used by botanists, but its length led to the common practice of shortening the name.
“Mum” is the universally accepted abbreviation for Chrysanthemum, used by gardeners and florists for convenience. The most common cultivated species is Chrysanthemum × morifolium, a complex hybrid often simply referred to as a garden or florist mum. Both names refer to the same group of perennial, herbaceous flowering plants known for their impressive autumn display.
The Many Faces of Chrysanthemums: Understanding Cultivars
Although the names are interchangeable, the physical appearance of the flowers varies dramatically due to the thousands of cultivated varieties, known as cultivars. Horticulturalists use a detailed classification system, often based on the National Chrysanthemum Society’s 13 classes, to categorize these differences based on the flower’s morphology. This system focuses on the arrangement and shape of the numerous small florets that make up the complete bloom.
One major group is the Incurves, where the florets curve inward to form a tight, globular, or ball-shaped bloom, such as the large Irregular Incurve or the smaller Pompon types. Conversely, the Reflexed class features florets that curve downward and overlap, often creating a full, flattened top resembling bird plumage. Decorative mums are typically flattened blooms with short petals that partially incurve and reflex. More exotic forms include the Spider class, characterized by long, thin, tubular ray florets that may coil or hook at the ends, giving a spidery appearance. The Anemone class features a daisy-like ring of ray florets surrounding a prominent, hemispherical center disk made of shorter tubular florets.
Essential Care for Keeping Mums Healthy
For the average buyer, a practical concern is whether the mum will return next year, and this depends on a key distinction: is it a hardy garden mum or a florist mum? Hardy garden mums are bred from winter-hardy species and are perennials, meaning they are intended to survive the winter and return annually, typically hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 9. Florist mums, often sold in pots at grocery stores or seasonal garden centers, are bred for maximum fall bloom and are generally treated as annuals for temporary display, often lacking the root system to survive a hard winter.
All mums thrive best when receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, which promotes robust health and abundant flowering. Potted mums require consistent moisture and should be watered when the top inch of soil begins to dry out. Water the soil directly and avoid wetting the foliage, as this can encourage fungal diseases.
To encourage continued blooming, a practice called deadheading is recommended. This involves removing the spent or faded flower heads, which directs the plant’s energy toward developing new buds rather than setting seed.
If attempting to overwinter a hardy mum, it should be planted in the ground in spring. A fall-planted mum should have its stems cut back to about eight inches after the first hard frost to help insulate the plant’s crown.