Garden mums (short for chrysanthemums) have a history stretching back over 3,000 years in China, where they were first grown. The name comes from Greek words for gold and flower, they are natural insect repellents, and some types are completely edible.
History and Meaning
- Ancient Roots: People first grew mums in China more than 3,000 years ago.
- Noble Status: Chinese culture lists the mum as one of the four noble plants.
- Greek Name: The word comes from chrysos (gold) and anthemon (flower).
- Diverse Meanings: The U.S. sees mums as symbols of joy, but parts of Europe link them to funerals and death.
- Festival of Happiness: Japan holds a National Chrysanthemum Day to celebrate the flower. [1]
Nature and Uses
- Natural Bug Spray: Chemicals extracted from mums called pyrethrins are common ingredients in insect bug sprays.
- Edible Varieties: Certain types and petals are used to brew herbal teas or tossed into salads.
- Short-Day Trigger: Mums start to bloom in autumn because they respond to long nights and short days.
- Homecoming Tradition: High schools in Texas and the American South feature huge silk mum corsages for football games.