All posts tagged chrysanthemums

Welcome Autumn with Chrysanthemums

As warm weather gives way to cooler days, we begin to see chrysanthemums everywhere. These hardy plants, also called mums, are a beacon of autumn in North America. Blooming in late summer through mid-fall, mums add a pop of color when other garden plants are dying back for the year.

Chrysanthemums are readily found in nurseries and garden centers. You may even find them at your local grocery store, along with pumpkins and corn stalks. Mums make an excellent autumnal decoration, as they bloom in warm shades of reds, yellows, and purples that reflect the hues of the changing leaves on trees.

In the United States we associate mums with the start of fall, Halloween, and everything pumpkin spice flavored. However, in many nations, chrysanthemums have a more somber meaning. In some European and Asian countries, certain mums are used almost exclusively for funerals and grave markers. These mums are usually white in color to symbolize grieving.

There are thirteen main types of chrysanthemums, determined mostly by the shape of the flowers. There are countless variations in size and color as well, with thousands of individual varieties being officially recognized by the National Chrysanthemum Society.

Some of the most common types of chrysanthemums are cushion, with a mounded flower shape, and spider mums, with dangling petals reminiscent of legs. The quill mum has petals that are tube-shaped, and button mums have petite flowers growing on the stems in a natural bouquet shape.

One of the most popular uses of chrysanthemums worldwide is to dry the flowers and make them into tea. This practice is said to have begun in China around one thousand years ago, and remains widespread to this day. Chrysanthemum tea is served both hot and iced year-round, and is frequently sweetened with honey.

All chrysanthemum flowers are edible but they exhibit nearly as many flavors as there are types of blossoms! Some mums have a peppery flavor, some are tart, and some are thought to taste like honey. If you’re making your own tea, be sure your mums are clean and chemical-free before drying them.

If you know someone who loves everything associated with autumn, chrysanthemums will make a wonderful gift. As part of a holiday display or planted in a flower bed, mums deliver a brilliant splash of color late in the growing season. When other plants are winding down, mums are in full bloom to brighten a friend’s day with jewel-like colors.

Flowers for Summer: Send Flowers That Purify Indoor Air

During summer, many people spend a great deal of time indoors because it’s too hot to be outside. With the air-conditioning on, you may feel nice and comfortable. But, things could turn around if you’re constantly breathing stale and recycled air.

Don’t set yourself up for getting sick during a season that’s all about having fun! Put some air-filtering flowers inside your home to stay healthy.

While you’re at it, send some to a friend or loved one, as a gift to say “Hi” and to let them know “I’m wishing you health.”

Here are some great flowers to keep indoor air healthy.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Peace Lily is an evergreen that’s easy to take care of. It requires little light or water to thrive, which makes is a perfect inside plant. You can buy Peace Lilies at many garden stores and they’re simple to grow in a garden. NASA analyzed houseplants and found that Peace Lily was the most efficient plant at removing airborne VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Florist’s Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum moriforlium)

This flower is often called Florist’s daisy and Hardy Garden Mum. It’s a houseplant and popular perennial that many already have in their home. It loves direct sunlight and needs an adequate amount of water, so keep it by a window and watch it’s moisture level. With the right care, Florist’s Chrysanthemum will blossom up in a house or place of business, and help cleanse the air of toxic chemicals.

* Note – These flowers are poisonous to animals, so keep them up high if you have furry companions living with you.

Flamingo Lily (Anthurium andraeanum)

Commonly called Flamingo Lily, Anthurium andraeanum is a stunning evergreen that’s mostly know for it’s beautiful flowers. The NASA Clean Air Study noted that the Flamingo Lily was especially effective at ridding dangerous airborne formaldehyde and ammonia from inside air.

Flowers are perfect companions to humidifiers and electric air purifiers in a home or office, and depending on the circumstances, they can purify air entirely on their own. They sure look pretty doing it, too.

Flowers to Say “Thank You”

Saying “thank you” with flowers can be an easy, creative, and unexpected way to say “Thank you.” It’s easy for the giver, and it’s always a delight for the recipient.

If you’re looking for the perfect flowers to say “thank you,” we have a few suggestions. Whether you want to offer your appreciation to your child’s teacher, a neighbor who house sat for you, or a friend who took care of you when you were ill, you have many beautiful choices for “thank you” flowers to give.

The following are some flowers for saying “thank you” that we especially love:

Sweet Peas

What better way to say “thank you” for doing something sweet than sending sweet peas. Sweet peas can say “thank you” for concert tickets, a job referral, excellent ongoing service, or help with an event. These beauties smell just as sweet and wonderful as they look.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are flowers given to say “thank you for understanding.” They’re ideal to send to someone who has helped you through a tough time physically, emotionally, or financially. These blossoms come in pink, blue, peach, and white. They’re economical if you’re on a budget because you only need one or two blooms to fill up a vase.

Chrysanthemums

To say “thank you” to a friend, choose chrysanthemums. These flowers are cheerful and they represent joy. To show how joyful and thankful you are for a special friendship, give these blooms.

In addition to the flowers we’ve mentioned, you can say “thank you” by offering bellflowers, irises, or roses. Of course, any flower that you give with your whole heart will be a beautiful sentiment of gratitude.

 

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