Herbs in the Landscape

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium)

Chrysanthemums are beautiful plants that bloom like colorful jewels in autumn. They are compact and form clumps. Their flowers can be daisy-like, pom pom, or spider-like, and they appear in red, orange, pink, yellow, white, and purple. They bloom from September until frost. The genus name comes from the Greek words chrysos meaning gold and anthemon meaning flower.

They can be grown as herbaceous annuals or perennials. To grow as perennials, plant them in springtime so they can establish roots by fall. They thrive in USDA zones 5-9. They grow to about 2-3 feet in height and prefer sunny places with moist, rich soil. They have attractive deeply lobed dark green leaves.

Chrysanthemum is native to China and has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chrysanthemum tea is often drunk around the time of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Victorians used chrysanthemums to show friendship and well-wishes. In China, the chrysanthemum is traditionally offered to the elderly as a symbol of long life and good luck in the home. In Australia, chrysanthemums are the official flower for Mother’s Day due to their nickname “mums.”

Chrysanthemum flowers can be used in tea and in foods such as salads. The taste will vary by color and type. White petals are often favored for tea. The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, and the more mature leaves do well as greens in cooked dishes. The stemmed flowers look beautiful and cheery in flower arrangements.