Crazy for Chrysanthemums: the official bloom of November
October 29, 2017
![Crazy for Chrysanthemums: the official bloom of November]()
Typically it's the changing of the leaves that signifies fall flora. But its chrysanthemums or “mums,” one of the most widely cultivated flowers in the world, that have caught our attention. They commonly bloom during the fall months, earning the designation as birthday flower for those born in November.
Chrysanthemum flowers are available in a wide array of colors - from white, to yellow and gold, pink, orange, bronze, deep red, and purple. Read on to discover how both the artists and clients of Island Cove have gone crazy for chrysanthemums this autumn.
All About Chrysanthemum Flowers
- The chrysanthemum flower symbolizes fidelity, optimism, joy and long life, according to TheFlowerExpert.com.
- There are over 140 varieties of chrysanthemum and the blooms are divided into 10 different "bloom forms" by the US National Chrysanthemum Society.
- A study by NASA found that chrysanthemum plants helped reduce indoor air pollution.
- In Japan, the chrysanthemum is a symbol of the Emperor and the Imperial Family.
- The flowers are edible, often boiled to make chrysanthemum tea, which is popular in parts of Asia.
Make a Chrysanthemum Bracelet
The chrysanthemum pattern, created by Nichole Starman, has quickly become a fan favorite at the Island Cove Bead Studio. It uses CzechMates 2-hole lentil and crescent beads to create a puffy dimensional flower design.
Marti Timmons, Island Cove's instructor of the Chrysanthemum Bracelet class, began teaching the pattern earlier this year. "I really love this flower and its beaded design because it's not linear like many of the other patterns we teach. Instead, this pattern creates a unique shape that’s very feminine. You can even customize the center of the blooms with 6mm glass or pearl beads."
Island Cove client Judy Bays re-imagined the pattern to resemble a daisy - one of her favorite flowers. "I wanted my bracelet to look like a string of daisies so I used pearly white crescent beads for the petals, metallic light green lentil beads for the leaves, and yellow flower beads at the bloom's center," she explains.
Shop this fall favorite bloom at Island Cove:
- In the gallery, pick up one of Catherine Valle's hand-painted chrysanthemum fairie dust boxes, $14-$16 each
- Sign up for the Chrysanthemum Bracelet class with Marti and create your own floral bracelet
- Pick up a pair of chrysanthemum stud earrings in the gallery, $16-$18 each
