Sedum (Autumn Joy) was historically planted on house and barn roofs by ancient Romans who believed the thick succulent plant could stop lightning strikes. [1, 2]
Chrysanthemums (or mums) come from China, where people have grown them for over 3,000 years. Their name comes from Greek words meaning “gold flower”. NASA studies show that indoor potted mums help clear indoor air toxins. [1, 2]
Helenium (commonly called sneezeweed) earned its quirky name because people once dried its leaves to make a type of tobacco that caused sneezing. Greek myth says the flower sprouted from the tears of Helen of Troy. [1]
Marigolds served a very practical medical purpose during the American Civil War and World War I. Medics used the crushed petals to dress open wounds and stop bleeding on the battlefield. [1]
Autumn Crocus (and related Colchicum species) appear completely bare without any leaves when they first bloom, which led to old folk names like “naked ladies”. People during the Renaissance wore the flowers to protect themselves from the plague. [1, 2, 3]
Strawflowers get their name because their colorful petals feel dry and make a distinct crunching sound like straw when you touch them. [1]