Chrysanthemum

The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek words meaning ‘gold flower’ and from the Chinese name for them – mums. Many people call chrysanthemums ‘pot mums’. Originating in China, they were taken to Japan round 1500 years ago and then entered Europe in the eighteenth century. Chrysanthemums are available in variety of shapes and sizes and the flowers differ between species. Although originally chrysanthemums were small yellow flowers, they are now available as whites, pinks, purples, greens, reds and many other colours. The flowers themselves can be ball or globe shaped, Chrysanthemums still grow wild in China and other Far East countries in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, mountain slopes, riversides, fields and seashores. Many chrysanthemums are now cultivated because of the demand.