Mum flowers, commonly known as mums, are perennial flowering plants belonging to the genus Chrysanthemum, a member of the large daisy family, Asteraceae. The genus comprises 40 species native primarily to East Asia and northeastern Europe. Mums are strongly associated with the autumn season, providing a burst of color when most other garden flowers begin to fade.
The Diverse World of Chrysanthemum Forms
The appeal of the chrysanthemum stems from the diversity in its flower structure, categorized into 13 distinct classes by the National Chrysanthemum Society. These classifications are based on the arrangement and shape of the florets that make up the whole bloom. The largest forms, such as the Irregular Incurve, feature long florets that curve inward to create a large, globular head, sometimes reaching up to eight inches in diameter.
In contrast, the Reflex class has florets that curve downward, creating a flattened, feathered appearance. Smaller, spherical forms are known as Pompons, where the florets neatly incurve or reflex to completely hide the center. Other forms include the Anemone, which has a raised cushion of disc florets surrounded by ray florets, and the Spider, characterized by long, thin, tubular florets that may hook or coil at the tips.
The Quill form is defined by its straight, tubular florets with open tips, giving the bloom a spiky texture. This variety dictates a cultivar’s visual use, distinguishing a large exhibition bloom from a small, button-sized garden variety.
Essential Growing Requirements
Mums require full sun exposure to produce abundant blooms. A minimum of six hours of direct sunlight is necessary for robust growth and proper bud development. The soil must be rich in organic matter and well-drained, since mums are sensitive to standing water and root rot.
For established plants, early-season pruning, known as “pinching,” promotes a dense, bushy structure. When young shoots reach six to eight inches in height, the top one to two inches of the growing tip should be removed. This action forces the plant to develop lateral branches, leading to a higher number of flowers.
Pinching should be repeated until mid-summer (around mid-July) to ensure the plant sets flower buds for the fall season. Mums are heavy feeders, requiring a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formulation, applied monthly during the spring and summer growing period. Once flower buds appear, switch to a fertilizer with a higher potassium content to support bloom development.
Hardy garden mums are bred to survive winter and return annually, while florist mums are often produced for temporary display and may not be reliably perennial. Hardy mums are best planted in the early spring, allowing root systems sufficient time to establish before winter.
Seasonal Use and Cultural Significance
Mums are linked to the autumn season across the Northern Hemisphere. Their natural tendency to bloom as days shorten makes them a reliable source of color, coinciding with holidays like Thanksgiving. They are widely used as potted bedding plants for porch and patio displays, and many varieties are cultivated as cut flowers for seasonal arrangements.
The symbolism of the chrysanthemum varies by culture. In East Asian countries, particularly China and Japan, the flower is revered as a symbol of longevity, joy, and nobility. In Japan, the chrysanthemum serves as the Imperial Seal and is central to the annual Festival of Happiness.
European countries associate the flower with grief or remembrance. White chrysanthemums are traditionally used as grave decorations or funeral flowers. In the United States, the flower symbolizes optimism and joy, reflecting its use as a cheerful seasonal decoration.