In the last weeks of autumn, chrysanthemums, or mums, offer a reliable pop of color, and some of the last blooms of the season. So it’s fitting that mums are the primary November birth month flower. Along with roses and lilies, chrysanthemums are among the most popular cut flowers in the world. The variety and diversity of flowers means there are mums to delight every November baby.
Chrysanthemums’ popularity is due in part to the flowers’ variety of colors, shapes and sizes, which makes them versatile and extremely customizable. Some of the hardiest mums are daisy-shaped, and there are easily as many pom blooms, some so full and fluffy the yellow center is obscured. Then there’s the eye catching spider mum, an ornamental flower with long tubular petals that give it a spindly appearance. No matter the size or shape, this November birthday flower comes in just about every color imaginable.
When shopping for birthday flowers, it’s good to have the flexibility to personalize a bouquet, so most months have two birth flowers. We recently talked about October’s birth flowers, marigold and cosmos. The secondary November birth flower is peony. The peony’s sultry flowers with ruffled petals are a striking complement to chrysanthemum’s poms and quills. Each is worthy to be the star of its own bouquet, but the possible creative combinations are endless!
Chrysanthemum Symbolism
Chrysanthemums symbolize joy, longevity, friendship, and support. They’re the perfect choice for a get well bouquet, or to express your appreciation for a longtime friend. In China, mums represent long life and good luck in the home, and are often given to retirees and the elderly. According to Victorian floriography, Chrysanthemums were sent to show devotion, often to a secret crush. In addition to the general meanings for November’s birth flower, different colors have their own symbolism.
- Violet chrysanthemums send get-well wishes.
- Red chrysanthemums symbolize passion and love.
- Pink chrysanthemums represent friendship and affection.
- White chrysanthemums are symbols of truth, honesty, and loyalty.
- Yellow chrysanthemums signal joy and optimism.
- Green chrysanthemums represent good health, good luck, and rebirth.
Chrysanthemum Varieties
There are thousands of chrysanthemum varieties, and the diversity of color and style makes shopping for November birth flowers fun and flexible. If by chance you added overwhelming to that list, don’t worry, we’ve broken them down by flower type, with a few examples to get you started.
Single Bloom/Semi-Double
These mums strongly resemble daisies, with single or layered rays of petals surrounding a yellow center. The chrysanthemums, though, have a larger flower.
Examples: Icy Isle (yellow center, white petals), Fire Island (yellow center, red petals with yellow stripe)
Quilled Blooms
The petals of this chrysanthemum are narrow and quill-like, giving the flower a spiky appearance. Some flowers have quills that are cupped at the tips, resembling spoons.
Examples: Lola (large blooms with lavender petals, King’s Delight (large with pale pink petals)
Spider Blooms
Spider bloom petals are long, thin, and tubular, resembling spider legs. The petals grow in different directions, giving spider blooms a delicate, lacy appearance.
Examples: Evening Glow (rose to bronze petals), Symphony (bronze to yellow petals)
Anemone
Anemone chrysanthemums have wider tubular petals that have a cushioned look. They have a similarly cushion-like center.
Examples: Angel (lavender petals inside, outer petals are dark purple with white tips) Mancetta Sunset (bronze petals surrounding a large yellow center)
Pompons
Pompons are easily recognizable for their globe-shaped blooms with short, densely layered petals. Small pompons are called button mums.
Examples: Moonbeam (large solid white bloom), Yoko Ono (Smallish bright spring green bloom)
Decorative Blooms
These mums vary in size and have short, wide petals that grow flat.
Examples: Lexy (small with bronze petals and a dark center), Honeyglow (medium sized with amber colored petals)
Reflex and Incurve Blooms
The petals of these mums curve outward and inward. Incurve petals grow in different directions and lengths around an irregular center, giving them an informal, asymmetrical appearance.
Examples: Goldfield (yellow petals and center), Crimson Tide (dense incurve maroon and yellow petals)
Thistle Chrysanthemums
Also called brush mums, thistle mums are so-named for their long, fine, tubular petals. When the petals grow irregularly, they resemble a paintbrush, leading to its other name.
Exotic and Unclassified Chrysanthemums
These chrysanthemums don’t fit into any of the above categories.
Example: Lili Gallon (long, curling reflexive red and silver petals)
Chrysanthemum History and Fun Facts
The November birth month flower is native to Asia, and is historically and culturally significant in Chinese culture. Along with plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo, chrysanthemums represent “the Four Gentlemen”, or “The Four Noble Ones”, said to embody human virtues, and depicted in Chinese art and literature for thousands of years. Chrysanthemum’s noble assignation is as autumn’s flower, symbolic of tenacity and overcoming adversity.
Chrysanthemum is Japan’s national flower, and is part of the imperial family seal. The chrysanthemum seal is found on official documents like Japan’s passports. Japan celebrates National Chrysanthemum Day on September 9 with The Festival of Happiness, established in 910 AD.
Chicago also claims chrysanthemum as their official flower. It’s the flower that represents 13th anniversaries as well – this November birth flower really knows how to multitask!
Chrysanthemums are edible, and have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The petals are frequently used for treating high blood pressure, chest pain, headache, inflammation, and other ailments. Aside from their medicinal qualities, chrysanthemum petals are used to make wine and tea throughout Asia.
Secondary November Birth Flower: Peony
Though lesser known as November’s birth month flower, peonies have a loyal following, and are a lovely complement to the primary birth flower for November. There are over 40 varieties of this lush, romantic bloom.
Peonies are symbolic of love, happy marriage, wealth, honor, and good fortune. This 12th anniversary flower holds more layers of symbolism according to its color, like most flowers. Notably, red peonies, which represent honor, respect, and wealth, were held in esteem and treasured by the emperors of China.
Peonies have a long and rich history in Asia, first appearing around 700 AD. They also feature prominently in Greek mythology, associated with the God of Medicine, Asclepius. November’s birth flower indeed has medicinal qualities, used for stomach pain, headache, asthma, and insomnia. The edible petals are used in teas, salads, and cocktail garnishes.
Order November Birth Flowers & More
The custom of pairing flowers with birth months is an ancient one that has taken shape over centuries to the flowers we currently associate with each month. Now you can easily find information for all birth month flowers. This is really helpful when it comes to shopping for that special birthday flower delivery.
Flowers are always appreciated on big occasions like birthdays, and we at The Bouqs pride ourselves on providing you not only with the freshest, longest-lasting blooms and a strong commitment to sustainability, but with all the information you need to choose just the right bouquet or plant for every occasion. The Bouqs offer several options for making flower deliveries simple and efficient for you, no matter how big or small. Visit our website or one of our stores and see for yourself!
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