Now that it’s September, nurseries and chain stores are filled with chrysanthemums . “Mums,” as they’re commonly known, are a symbol of changing seasons because they bloom and thrive in cooler weather when most other flowers are beginning to fade.

In different parts of the world mums have different meanings. In Japan, they’re a symbol of the imperial family and treated with respect. In many countries they’re a symbol of longevity, but in other countries they’re a symbol of death — especially white ones.

Here in the United States I’ve read that mums represent friendship and happiness, although I’m not sure if that’s true or something made up because it sounds good. Apparently, though, they are the official birth flower of November.

Mums aren’t native — unlike cup plants (Silphium perf

See Full Page