Origins
Although the chrysanthemum was a late bloomer on Western shores, not appearing in Europe until the 17th century, its beauty has certainly stood the test of time. The flower was first cultivated in China as far back as the 15th Century, where it was grown as a flowering herb.
Around the 8th century AD it went on to blossom in Japan, where it was adopted as the crest and official seal of the Emperor, and is celebrated to this day with a National Chrysanthemum Day called the Festival of Happiness.
By the time it reached Europe in the 17th Century, more than 500 cultivars of the flower had been recorded – and it was then that it was given its modern-day moniker by eminent Swedish botanist Karl Linnaeus, who combined the Greek words ‘chrysos’, meaning gold, and ‘anthemon’ meaning flower.
Varieties
From simple, flat-headed daisy-like blooms to great voluminous globes of colour, the chrysanthemum comes in a multitude of guises to suit every conceivable taste. Here are a few of our favourites…
Spider: With row upon row of long, spiky, curved petals, the distinctive spider chrysanthemum has all the drama and vibrancy an exploding firework – perfect for a bonfire party table centrepiece.
Pompon: The pompom boasts beautiful orbs of perfectly formed petals that are not unlike that of the dahlia in their formation. This robust bloom promises to make a statement in any arrangement.
Incurve: Imagine the spherical shape of the pom-pom combined with the longer, slender (though less spindly) curving petals of the spider chrysanthemum and you have the incurve.
Daisy: The flowers in this category look, as you might have guessed, uncannily like daisies, with a round centre surrounded by a crest of petals. The most popular family of this variety is the Reagan family.
Button: As suggested by the name, the flower heads in this category are button-shaped and the most commonly used varieties are the Stallion family. They really are cute as a button – and offer a great way to soften the appearance of a display of larger blooms.
Welcome chrysanthemums into your home this autumn
The chrysanthemum is not only beautiful, it’s also said to symbolise health and happiness, making it an ideal gift. Surprise someone with a spectacular seasonal bouquet by opting for gold, russet and ruby red tones evocative of the fiery autumn landscape. Mix pom-poms or mophead ‘mums’ with peach-toned roses and deep red ‘black’ dahlias.
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