Why Chrysanthemums Deserve Far More Respect

Ask most people what they think of chrysanthemums and you will likely hear something lukewarm. They are the flower of petrol station forecourts, of dutiful hospital visits, of arrangements that look more practical than beautiful. This reputation is both understandable and profoundly unfair. The chrysanthemum — or 'mum', as it is universally abbreviated — is one of the oldest cultivated flowers in existence, prized for centuries in East Asia long before it reached European shores.

A flower with a 3,000-year history

The chrysanthemum has been cultivated in China since at least 1500 BCE, where it was used medicinally, drunk as a tea, and regarded as one of the 'Four Gentlemen' of Chinese art alongside the plum blossom, orchid, and bamboo. In Japan, it became the symbol of the imperial family and gave its name to the Chrysanthemum Throne — the oldest continuous monarchy in the world. It arrived in Britain in the eighteenth century and quickly found favour for its extraordinary range of forms and its willingness to bloom in autumn when most other flowers have finished.

“In Japan, a single chrysanthemum blossom can contain more than a thousand individual petals — each one a statement of perfection.”

The remarkable range of chrysanthemum forms

There are more than 20 distinct flower forms within the chrysanthemum family, and understanding them transforms how you see the genus. Spray chrysanthemums produce multiple small blooms on branching stems — the most widely sold type in UK supermarkets and florists, valued for their volume and longevity. Single chrysanthemums have a central disc surrounded by a single row of petals, resembling a large daisy. Pompon varieties are dense, ball-shaped blooms the size of a marble. And then there are the exhibition types: spider chrysanthemums with long, trailing quill-like petals, and spoon varieties whose petals expand into tiny spoon shapes at the tip.

Vase life that outlasts almost everything

If longevity is your priority, chrysanthemums are almost unbeatable. A well-conditioned spray chrysanthemum in clean water will routinely last three to four weeks — sometimes more. This extraordinary vase life makes them an exceptional choice for those who travel frequently, live alone, or simply want flowers that do not need replacing every few days. They are also exceptionally reliable in floral arrangements, holding their shape and colour long after softer flowers have wilted.

The best chrysanthemums to seek out

'Anastasia' is a widely available spray type in warm bronze and green tones, beloved by florists working autumnal palettes. 'Shamrock' is a green button chrysanthemum used prolifically by contemporary florists as a textural element. 'Feeling Green' is another sought-after variety — a large, chartreuse bloom that complements bold florals beautifully. For something dramatic, seek out spider varieties like 'Cremon' in dusty pink or 'Fuji' types in white.

“The chrysanthemum asks very little and gives back more than almost any other flower. It is the most undervalued flower in Britain.”