Chrysanthemum

The word chrysanthemum comes from Creek words that denote gold and flower. The flowers now variety in color from while and yellow through pink and lavender to deep red. The sizes differ from pompons, fewer than an inch across, to blooms 8 inches or more in diameter, there are 15 distinct bloom forms of chrysanthemums, which be different primarily in the shape and arrangement of the petals. Petals may be flat, fluted, quilled, feathery, fringed, or curled. Blossoms may be single, semi-double, or double.

Chrysanthemums flourish in fertile, well-drained soil and full sunlight. They produce from cuttings or root divisions. They are also annual, lasting only one year, or perennial continuing to live from year to year. Gardeners like to grow chrysanthemums because of their diversity of size, shape* and color, The 3000 varieties in cultivation may be alienated into two main types those that are cultivated in a greenhouse and forced for winter bloom and hardy varieties that grow outdoors and bloom in late summer and fall. All chrysanthemums bloom outdoors if they are secluded from frost. The only species of economic significance are certain forms of pyrethrum, Chiysanthemum coccineum. Their flower heads are the basis of pyrethrum powder, an insecticide.