Hundreds of chrysanthemums mark the Fall Flower Show at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory (part of the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory), 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Running today (October 9, 2010) through November 29, 2010, the show will feature mums of many different cultivars with colors of yellow, orange, red, gold, highlighted with “Chilly Chili” ornamental peppers and ornamental grasses.

The chrysanthemum flower has been known since before 5000 BCE, originating as a small yellow bloom. Ancient China and Japan both have tales explaining how the chrysanthemum originated. The Chinese who considered them the highest of flowers, named their royal throne after the flower. Chrysanthemum flowers have traditionally been boiled in China to make “chrysanthemum tea,” and used in folk medicine for influenza patients. In landscaping, chrysanthemums are valued for the fact that they bloom in fall. Florists (and Road Trips Gardeners) love them for the longevity of their cut flowers.