Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum 'Hazel' (21)

Names

• Family

  Asteraceae

• Synonyms

  Hardy Chrysanthemum, Garden Mum, Florist's Chrysanthemum, Hardy Mum

• Common names

  Dendranthema 'Hazel', Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Hazel'.

Toxicity

• To humans

  The common chrysanthemum, including the variety 'Hazel,' may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals due to the presence of sesquiterpene lactones, which are known to be skin irritants. Ingesting parts of the chrysanthemum plant can cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It is not generally considered highly toxic to humans, but it can cause discomfort and negative reactions, particularly in large amounts. If you suspect chrysanthemum poisoning, it's advisable to seek medical attention.

• To pets

  The chrysanthemum, known simply as mums to many, is toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. This toxicity is primarily due to pyrethrins and other compounds that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis in pets. Signs of chrysanthemum poisoning often appear within a few hours of ingestion. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious conditions such as depression of the central nervous system. If you suspect your pet has eaten chrysanthemum, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Characteristics

• Life cycle

  Perennials

• Foliage type

  Deciduous

• Color of leaves

  Green

• Flower color

  Varies

• Height

  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)

• Spread

  2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)

• Plant type

  Herb

• Hardiness zones

  5

• Native area

  Asia

General Benefits

• Ornamental Value: Chrysanthemum 'Hazel' provides aesthetic appeal with its vibrant and colorful flowers, enhancing garden display and landscapes.
• Pollinator Attraction: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity in the garden.
• Seasonal Interest: Offers late-season blooms when many other plants have finished flowering, extending the garden's visual interest into fall.
• Easy to Grow: Known for being hardy and easy to care for, making it a suitable choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
• Versatile Use: Can be used in borders, containers, and as cut flowers, offering diverse options for garden design and indoor decoration.
• Long-lasting Blooms: The flowers of Chrysanthemum 'Hazel' have a long blooming period, providing color for an extended period of time.
• Diverse Cultivars: Comes in a variety of cultivars with different sizes, shapes, and colors, offering a wide range of options for personal taste and garden themes.

Medical Properties

• This plant is not used for medical purposes.

Air-purifying Qualities

This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

Other Uses

• Chrysanthemums can be used as natural insect repellents by placing cut flowers around the home, as they contain a compound that is unappealing to many insects.
• They are often used in companion planting to protect vegetables from pests, leveraging their insect-repelling properties when planted nearby in gardens.
• Dried chrysanthemums are sometimes included in potpourri mixes for their fragrance and variety of colors, adding aesthetic appeal to the mix.
• Certain chrysanthemum flowers are edible and can be used to add a unique flavor and color to salads, teas, and desserts.
• They can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, offering a range of colors from pale yellow to deep gold depending on the variety and processing method.
• Chrysanthemums can be used in art projects, such as pressing flowers for decorative purposes in scrapbooking, card making, or decoupage.
• In some cultures, chrysanthemum petals are sprinkled at special events as confetti due to their bright colors and biodegradable nature.
• The flowers are sometimes used in religious and cultural ceremonies to represent life and vitality or to honor ancestors in Asia.
• Chrysanthemum plants can be given as gifts in pots to convey messages of loyalty and devotion in the language of flowers.
• Gardeners might use the plants to create living sculptures or topiaries in ornamental gardens due to their dense foliage and vibrant blooms.

Feng Shui

Chrysanthemums are believed to carry strong Yang energy and can introduce happiness and laughter to the home. Positioning chrysanthemums in the living room is thought to bring good luck and deter negative energy.

Zodiac Sign Compitability

Chrysanthemums are not used in astrology practice.

Plant Symbolism

• Life and Rebirth: Chrysanthemums, often called mums, bloom in the fall when many other plants are dying. Thus, they symbolize not only the life that persists as summer ends, but also the cycle of rebirth that comes with the changing seasons.
• Happiness and Optimism: Due to their bright and cheerful appearance, mums are commonly associated with joy and a positive outlook on life.
• Longevity: In some cultures, notably Chinese, chrysanthemums are symbols of longevity and immortality due to their long-lasting nature and medicinal properties.
• Loyalty and Devotion: The strong and sturdy nature of the chrysanthemum flower is often equated with steadfastness, suggesting unwavering loyalty and deep devotion in relationships.
• Grieving and Condolence: In some European countries and America, white chrysanthemums are sometimes used in funerals and are symbolic of grief and sympathy, offering condolence when someone passes away.
• Nobility: In Japanese culture, the chrysanthemum is a noble flower, often associated with the imperial family and appearing on the Imperial Seal of Japan.
• Cleansing: The chrysanthemum has associations with cleansing and purification, possibly due to its use in traditional medicine and its ability to clean the air from pollutants.
• Truth: As a bloom that withstands the fall weather, the mum also symbolizes the virtue of honesty, maintaining integrity and clarity as the year wanes.