Chrysanthemums

Having been unable to keep even the most basic green plants alive, flowers feel like alien beings, beautiful and untouchable by the likes of me. But October in New England finds every exterior display outfitted with at least two mums, preferably of a deep red, orange or yellow flavor.

Mums are not merely significant in their plant version, as with many flowers. For as long as there have been pretty plants, we have wanted to paint, press or carve them for posterity. Mums, it turns out, have been the staple of many cultures. Long before the pumpkin patch, they were part of many global traditions, especially in China and Japan, even signifying death in Europe for a time.

So, the chrysanthemum has a lot in common with other time-tested characters:

• One of its best characteristics, its resilience, is also what got it into trouble for a time. Chrysanthemums are known as fall flowers because they can withstand the change of seasons and drop in temperatures. They look beautiful even when the crisp air comes sweeping through. This is also the reason chrysanthemums came to symbolize death: they were so hardy that they became the flower of choice for gravesides and funerals. Their very toughness, then, made them extremely unpopular for a while — because they were associated with death.
• It is part of an influential group. In Chinese art, the chrysanthemum is one of the “Four Gentlemen,” which also includes the plum blossom, the orchid, and bamboo. Each one represents one of the seasons. Can you guess the chrysanthemum season? Yup. Fall.
• It knows what it does best. No matter where in the world it appears, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of fall. In Australia, it is in fact the favorite flower for Mothers’ Day – in part because Mothers’ Day lands in the middle of fall.
• It means more than meets the eye. Because it’s tough, it lasts, and it doesn’t wilt under pressure, it is a symbol of endurance and long-lasting relationships. It also appears in medicine, teas, soups and more.

I love the geometry of the petals, the brilliance of the colors, and the immense number of blossoms in one little plant. I love that they are hardy, strong and beautiful, unlikely to give in under pressure of cold, wind or weather.

I like knowing more than meets the eye about most things, and chrysanthemum are no different. Though you likely won’t see one gracing my stoop, I will be able to find you amazing images from across the centuries. Each from different cultures, based on different assumptions. But the same tough plant, standing its ground no matter where it’s planted.

What is part of your every day life that you could see differently today?