If you work in the floral industry either as a grower or a designer, then you know that “chrysanthemum” is synonymous with a four letter word. You’ll often hear it roll off of customers tongues with great disgust, as if the mere sound leaving their mouth makes them shudder. “No carnations, chrysanthemums or baby’s breath, please!”

For many years I was in total agreement. The mums generally seen at the corner market, en mass at the wholesaler or spray painted like tie dye at Costco and Walmart make anyone with an ounce of taste want to gag.