Just Bloom Florist Guide to Chrysanthemum Varieties
Chrysanthemums, commonly known as "mums" or "chrysanths," are among the most diverse and popular flowers in the floral industry. Native to Asia and northeastern Europe, these hardy perennials belong to the Asteraceae family and offer an incredible range of forms, colors, and sizes. This comprehensive guide will help florists understand and work with the many varieties available.
Classification System
Chrysanthemums are classified in several ways:
By Bloom Time
Early Season: September to early October
Mid Season: Mid to late October
Late Season: November to December
By Growth Habit
Hardy Garden Mums: Perennial varieties that survive winter outdoors
Florist Mums: Tender varieties grown primarily for cut flowers and indoor use
Exhibition Mums: Large, show-quality blooms requiring specialized care
Major Flower Form Categories
1. Decorative Forms
Incurved
Characteristics: Petals curve inward and upward, creating a tight, globe-like appearance
Size: Typically 4-6 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Moira' (white)
'Seahawk' (yellow)
'Duchess of Fife' (bronze-red)
Uses: Formal arrangements, exhibition, wedding centerpieces
Reflexed
Characteristics: Petals curve downward and outward from the center
Size: 3-5 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Crimson Yvonne Arnaud' (deep red)
'Yellow Heide' (bright yellow)
'Apricot Alexis' (soft apricot)
Uses: Mixed bouquets, casual arrangements, garden displays
Intermediate
Characteristics: Combination of incurved and reflexed petals
Size: 4-6 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Autumn Fire' (bronze-orange)
'Bolero' (pink and white)
'Pennine Marie' (white with pink tips)
Uses: Versatile for most floral applications
2. Spray Forms
Pompon
Characteristics: Small, perfectly round, densely packed petals
Size: 1-2 inches across, multiple blooms per stem
Popular Varieties:
'Button' series (various colors)
'Yoko Ono' (lime green)
'Matchstick' (yellow with red tips)
Uses: Filler flowers, boutonnieres, small arrangements
Decorative Spray
Characteristics: Larger than pompons, looser petal structure
Size: 2-3 inches across, 5-10 blooms per stem
Popular Varieties:
'Santini' series (various colors)
'Stallion' (bronze)
'Feeling Green' (lime green)
Uses: Mixed arrangements, bouquets, event decorating
3. Specialty Forms
Single/Daisy
Characteristics: Flat petals radiating from visible center disc
Size: 2-4 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Clara Curtis' (pink)
'Mary Stoker' (apricot-yellow)
'Pennine Oriel' (white with yellow center)
Uses: Casual arrangements, garden-style bouquets
Anemone
Characteristics: Flat outer petals with raised, cushion-like center
Size: 3-4 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Honey' (golden yellow)
'Polaris' (white with yellow center)
'Moonbeam' (pale yellow)
Uses: Textural interest in arrangements, focal flowers
Spoon
Characteristics: Flat petals with spoon-shaped tips
Size: 3-4 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Redwing' (bronze-red)
'Starlet' (bronze with yellow spoons)
'Fantasy' (white with pink spoons)
Uses: Unique accent flowers, specialty arrangements
Spider
Characteristics: Long, thin, tubular petals that may be straight or curved
Size: 4-8 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Senkyo Kenshin' (white)
'Shamrock' (green)
'Anastasia' (lime green)
Uses: Modern arrangements, artistic displays
Thistle
Characteristics: Fine, needle-like petals creating a spiky appearance
Size: 3-5 inches across
Popular Varieties:
'Ringdove' (silvery-pink)
'Improved Fairweather' (yellow)
Uses: Textural elements, contemporary designs
Color Varieties
Traditional Colors
White: Classic choice for weddings, sympathy arrangements
Yellow: Cheerful, versatile for many occasions
Bronze/Rust: Popular for autumn themes
Red: Bold choice for holidays and celebrations
Pink: Soft option for romantic arrangements
Contemporary Colors
Green: 'Kermit', 'Feeling Green' - modern, trendy choice
Purple: Deep purples to light lavenders
Orange: Vibrant for fall and Halloween themes
Bi-color: Combinations like pink and white, yellow and red
Seasonal Availability
Peak Season (September-November)
Widest variety available
Best quality and pricing
Traditional autumn colors predominant
Off-Season (December-August)
Limited variety
Higher prices
Focus on greenhouse-grown varieties
White, yellow, and pink most readily available
Care and Handling
Upon Arrival
Unpack immediately and check for damage
Cut stems under running water at 45-degree angle
Remove any foliage below waterline
Place in clean, cool water with floral preservative
Storage
Temperature: 34-38°F (1-3°C)
Humidity: 85-95%
Duration: 5-7 days properly stored
Store away from ethylene-producing fruits
Conditioning
Recut stems regularly
Change water every 2-3 days
Remove spent blooms and yellowing foliage
Mist petals lightly to maintain freshness
Design Applications
Wedding Uses
Bridal Bouquets: Incurved varieties for formal looks
Boutonnieres: Small pompons or spray varieties
Centerpieces: Mixed forms for texture and interest
Ceremony Décor: Large exhibition varieties for impact
Sympathy and Funeral Work
Traditional: White and yellow incurved varieties
Contemporary: Mixed sprays in softer colors
Standing Sprays: Large decorative forms for visibility
Casket Arrangements: Combination of forms and sizes
Seasonal Decorating
Fall: Bronze, rust, and orange varieties
Halloween: Orange and deep purple combinations
Thanksgiving: Traditional autumn colors
Winter: White varieties with evergreens
Commercial Applications
Corporate Events: Clean, structured incurved varieties
Retail Displays: Colorful spray varieties for mass appeal
Restaurant Décor: Long-lasting pompons and sprays
Purchasing Guidelines
Quality Indicators
Stems: Firm, green, well-hydrated
Foliage: Fresh, green, no yellowing
Blooms: Fully opened for immediate use, tight buds for longevity
No Signs: Wilting, browning, pest damage
Ordering Considerations
Seasonality: Plan orders around natural growing seasons
Lead Time: 3-5 days for specialty varieties
Quantities: Order in bunches of 10 stems typically
Substitutions: Have backup varieties for unavailable items
Longevity and Value
Vase Life
Garden Mums: 7-14 days
Florist Mums: 10-21 days
Spray Varieties: 14-21 days
Large Exhibition: 7-14 days
Cost Considerations
Generally excellent value compared to other flowers
Long vase life provides good customer satisfaction
Seasonal pricing fluctuations
Volume discounts often available
Cultural Significance and Marketing
Symbolism
General: Honor, devotion, loyalty
Western Culture: Associated with autumn, harvest
Asian Culture: Longevity, nobility, joy
Color Specific: Red for love, white for truth, yellow for slighted love
Marketing Tips
Emphasize longevity and value
Highlight seasonal appropriateness
Educate customers about variety differences
Suggest complementary flowers and foliage
Complementary Flowers and Foliage
Compatible Flowers
Roses (especially garden varieties)
Sunflowers
Marigolds
Asters
Solidago (goldenrod)
Ideal Foliage
Oak leaves
Maple branches
Eucalyptus
Leather leaf fern
Hypericum berries
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Premature Wilting
Cause: Usually inadequate water uptake
Solution: Recut stems, fresh preservative solution
Petal Drop
Cause: Age, ethylene exposure, temperature shock
Prevention: Proper storage, avoid ethylene sources
Short Vase Life
Cause: Poor initial conditioning, bacterial growth
Solution: Clean containers, fresh water, proper preservatives
Color Fading
Cause: Direct sunlight, age
Prevention: Display away from direct sun, rotate stock
Just Bloom Florist Tips
Chrysanthemums offer florists incredible versatility in form, color, and application. Their excellent longevity, reasonable cost, and wide availability make them valuable additions to any floral business. Understanding the different varieties and their characteristics allows florists to make informed choices that will satisfy customers and enhance their reputation for quality and creativity.
Whether used as focal flowers in formal arrangements or as supporting players in mixed bouquets, chrysanthemums provide reliability and beauty that customers appreciate. With proper care and handling, these flowers will continue to be a staple in the floral industry for years to come.
