The mum flower, often a hallmark of autumn gardens and floral arrangements, is one of the most popular flowering plants cultivated globally. These versatile blooms are celebrated for their vibrant colors and remarkable longevity, making them a fixture in both commercial horticulture and home landscaping. This overview will explore the mum’s botanical identity, the various ways it is categorized, and the practical knowledge necessary to grow this widespread bloom.
Defining the Chrysanthemum
The flower commonly called a mum belongs to the genus Chrysanthemum, a group of plants within the large Asteraceae family, also known as the daisy family. These herbaceous perennials are primarily native to East Asia, with China being the center of their diversity and early cultivation dating back centuries. The plant’s foliage is typically characterized by deeply lobed or divided leaves that grow alternately along the stems and often possess a distinct, slightly aromatic scent.
What appears to be a single flower is actually a composite flower head, or capitulum, composed of numerous tiny flowers. The flat, petal-like structures around the edge are called ray florets, while the tightly packed structures in the center are the disk florets. Cultivated varieties exhibit an enormous range in the form and quantity of these florets. Wild species generally have smaller heads, featuring a single row of ray florets surrounding the center of disk florets.
Horticultural Classification of Mum Flowers
Mums are broadly categorized based on their intended use and ability to withstand cold temperatures. “Hardy mums,” often called garden mums, are perennial varieties bred for hardiness, allowing them to survive winter in many temperate zones when planted directly in the ground. In contrast, “florist mums” or “potted mums” are generally tender perennials or treated as annuals, grown primarily for temporary seasonal displays and cut flowers.
The most defining classification system separates mums into distinct horticultural classes based on the shape and arrangement of their composite flower heads. Incurve types, sometimes called “football mums,” have florets that curve inward to form a dense, globe-like sphere. Reflexed forms feature ray florets that curve downward, creating a mop-like appearance.
Pompon mums are characterized by small, stiff, and nearly spherical blooms that resemble buttons, while decorative types have densely packed florets with flattened tops. Elaborate forms include the spider mums, which display long, fine, tube-like ray florets, and quill mums, which have straight, rigid, hollow, and pointed florets. Single and anemone forms are the most daisy-like, featuring a distinct central disk of florets surrounded by one or a few rows of ray florets.
Essential Care and Growing Tips
Successful cultivation of mums depends on providing their basic requirements for light and soil. These plants thrive best in full sunlight (at least six hours of direct sun per day), which is necessary for compact growth and abundant bud production. They require soil that is rich in organic matter and provides excellent drainage, as soggy roots are a frequent cause of plant failure.
A technique called “pinching” is employed to ensure the plants develop a bushy shape and produce a maximum number of flowers. Starting in late spring and continuing until early July, gardeners should pinch off the growing tip of each stem, removing the top inch or two. This action encourages the plant to branch out laterally, leading to a denser form and a greater flower display in the fall.
For hardy varieties, a layer of mulch applied after the ground freezes helps protect the root crown from winter temperature fluctuations. It is recommended to leave the spent foliage on the plant throughout the winter and only cut back the stems to four to six inches in the early spring once new growth emerges. Container mums that are not reliably hardy should be moved to a cool, dark, frost-free location for the winter season.
Cultural Significance and Safety Considerations
The symbolism of the mum flower varies widely depending on the culture. In the United States, they are associated with the joy and bounty of the autumn season. Conversely, in several European countries, including France, Italy, and Belgium, the flowers are traditionally linked with death and are used almost exclusively for graves and funerals.
In East Asian traditions, particularly in China and Japan, the chrysanthemum holds a revered status, symbolizing longevity, nobility, and rejuvenation. Beyond ornamental use, certain varieties have practical applications. For example, the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium are dried and brewed to make herbal teas, while Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium is a natural source of pyrethrins, compounds used commercially as insecticides.
Mums contain naturally occurring chemical compounds called sesquiterpene lactones. While considered low in toxicity to humans, these substances can cause mild skin irritation or allergic reactions upon contact. If ingested, the plant material is mildly toxic to many household pets, including dogs and cats, and can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of coordination.