Chrysanthemums are one of the most popular and longest lasting cut flowers in the world. In Ontario, chrysanthemums are the 4th largest cut flower crop and the most widely grown potted plant in the province. They are available year round despite their reputation as "the Queen of Fall Flowers".

The Chrysanthemum is a member of the Compositae family, and is very extensive. Chrysanthemums have a wide variety of flower types, including anemone, star, spider, daisy, pompon, and most recently trumpet.

Up to the 1920s, most cut flower chrysanthemums were disbudded to leave one main apical flower per stem. Today, more than 95 per cent of the cut chrysanthemums sold in florists’ shops are spray chrysanthemums. With spray chrysanthemums only the apical bud is removed resulting in uniform development of all the lateral buds, each with its own flower stalk, making it suitable for all kinds of floral creations.

Cut chrysanthemums, especially the spray varieties, make impressive tall floral arrangements by themselves or combined with fall branches of leaves. For a more compact look, remove each stalk from the central stem and combine with solidaster or goldenrod for a sunny table arrangement.

To maximize vase life, remove leaves below water line and trim stems with a sharp knife. Chrysanthemems like cut flower food, lots of fresh water and indirect sunlight.

The chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China as a flowering herb and is described in early writings as a symbol of wealth, fidelity and truth. A gift of chrysanthemum flowers conveys pure intentions. An interesting contrast to the positive feelings many North Americans have of the chrysanthemum (football games, house-warming presents, get-well thoughts), is the European use of the chrysanthemum almost exclusively as a memorial on graves.