A chrysanthemum is a type of flowering plant with dense, showy blooms made up of many thin petals radiating from the center. Gardeners often call them mums for short. These flowers come in brilliant colors: deep reds, golden yellows, pure whites, and rich purples. Some varieties have petals that curl inward like a shaggy ball, while others spread flat like a daisy.

Chrysanthemums originated in China over 2,500 years ago and became deeply important in East Asian culture. In Japan, the chrysanthemum is an imperial symbol, appearing on the emperor's throne and official seals. The Chinese grew them both for beauty and for medicinal teas.

Today, people plant chrysanthemums in fall gardens because they bloom when many other flowers have finished for the season. You'll often see pots of mums for sale at garden centers in September and October, adding splashes of color just as the weather turns cool. In the United States, chrysanthemums have become strongly associated with autumn, appearing at harvest festivals and decorating doorsteps alongside pumpkins and corn stalks.