Botanical Name and Pronunciation:
Dendranthema x grandiflorum (den-DRAN-the-ma grand-I-FLOR-um)
Form and Size:
Mums have a leafy stem with one bloom per stem. Red rover mums have a yellow center with red and yellow petals protruding out.
7 – 14 days, sometimes longer
Cut under water and place in fresh water with flower food. The stem must be cut above any woody portions to ensure good water intake.
History and Usage:
A member of the Compositae (aster) family, chrysanthemums originated in China. They were first introduced to Japan in 400 A.D. They were then considered the emblem of the imperial family. They were introduced to Europe in the late 18th century. Chrysanthemums have a long vase life, so they go well in any arrangement.
Points of Interest:
Relatives of the chrysanthemum include cosmos, dahlia, calendula and zinnia. In Italy, mums are synonymous with death and funerals.