October 11

Birth Flower

Cushion Mum
Garden Mum Florist's Chrysanthemum

Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • independence
  • I love you
  • pure love
  • nobility

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Cushion mum is a type of garden chrysanthemum, belonging to varieties improved in Europe. The scientific name Chrysanthemum combines Greek 'chrysos' (gold) and 'anthemon' (flower), meaning 'golden flower.' Its main characteristic is small flowers (2-3cm diameter) covering the entire plant in a dome shape, creating a cushion-like round form. Growing 10-50cm tall, flower colors are extremely diverse including red, pink, orange, white, yellow, brown, purple, and green. When grown from seed, it branches well and repeatedly divides to create beautiful hemispherical flowers. It's cold-hardy and requires outdoor cold exposure as a blooming condition. Improved for pot and garden cultivation, it's also called 'pot mum' or 'garden mum.'

Trivia

  • The 'cushion' name reflects its perfectly round shape symbolizing loveliness
  • Flower color diversity surpasses other chrysanthemum types
  • Cold exposure requirement for beautiful blooms represents strength against adversity
  • European breeding created modern beauty different from traditional chrysanthemums

Uses

Ornamental
  • Potted plants for indoor and outdoor appreciation
  • Border plants in garden landscapes
  • Main flower material in mixed plantings
Medicinal
  • Used in traditional Chinese medicine as chrysanthemum flower for eye strain
  • Folk medicine for fever reduction effects

Caution: Components vary by variety; consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary
  • Petals (some varieties)
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Natural insect repellent properties
  • Companion plants in vegetable gardens
  • Long-lasting cut flowers

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems

Symptoms: May cause dermatitis or allergic reactions in some individuals.

Frost Aster
Aster Peacock Aster

Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum ericoides
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • love at first sight
  • grace
  • friendship
  • always cheerful

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Frost aster is a perennial from the Asteraceae family native to North America, introduced to Japan during the Taisho period. True to its name, it features beautiful flower displays resembling a peacock spreading its feathers. Growing 70cm-1.5m tall, long stems branch extensively producing numerous small flowers. Individual flowers are small (1-2cm diameter) but each plant produces hundreds to thousands of blooms, creating an overall magnificent impression. Flower color is typically white, though purple and pink varieties exist. The blooming period extends from August to November, hardy enough to continue flowering even in frosty conditions. Once planted, it reliably flowers annually with minimal care due to its robust nature, and is popular as cut flowers.

Trivia

  • Overwhelming flower quantity of thousands per plant captivates viewers
  • English name 'Frost Aster' comes from ability to bloom despite frost
  • Peacock feather-like appearance resonated deeply with Japanese aesthetic sensibilities
  • Has become indispensable to Japanese autumn landscapes since Taisho period introduction

Uses

Ornamental
  • Background plants in autumn gardens
  • Cut flowers for bouquets and arrangements
  • Main plants in natural gardens
Medicinal
  • Native American traditional medicine used roots for stomach ailments
  • Folk medicine used flowers for wound treatment

Caution: Medical evidence is insufficient; consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Nectar source attracting butterflies and bees
  • Contributes to ecosystem as wildlife food source
  • Soil stabilization plant on slopes

Toxicity

Symptoms: No particular toxicity reported

Coleus
Painted Nettle Flame Nettle

Scientific Name: Coleus scutellarioides
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Language

  • health
  • unrequited love
  • hope in love
  • good family tradition

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Coleus is a plant from the Lamiaceae family native to Southeast Asia, introduced to Japan during the Meiji period for ornamental purposes. The Japanese names 'kinran-jiso' (golden brocade shiso) and 'nishiki-jiso' (brocade shiso) derive from the shiso-like leaves displaying beautiful colors like golden brocade. Its main feature is large leaves changing to various colors including red, purple, yellow, yellow-green, orange, and multicolored combinations. Small spike-like flowers appear in summer, but since flowering causes leaf colors to fade, flower buds are usually removed to enjoy the foliage. Originally perennial but treated as annual in Japan due to cold sensitivity. Beautiful leaf colors can be enjoyed from early summer to autumn for extended periods, making it popular for hanging baskets and mixed plantings.

Trivia

  • Commonly practiced to remove flowers as blooming causes leaf colors to fade
  • Extremely diverse leaf shapes and color patterns by variety, highly collectible
  • Has Lamiaceae characteristics but completely different ornamental value from shiso
  • Popular with gardening beginners due to easy propagation by cuttings

Uses

Ornamental
  • Colorful foliage plants for container cultivation
  • Main material for hanging baskets
  • Accent plants in mixed plantings
Medicinal
  • Southeast Asian folk medicine uses leaves for wound treatment
  • Traditional use for digestive promotion effects

Caution: Medical evidence is insufficient; consult professionals before medicinal use.

Culinary

Ornamental varieties not suitable for culinary use

Other
  • Natural insect repellent properties
  • Used as indoor air purifying plant
  • Utilized in color therapy applications

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems

Symptoms: May cause skin irritation and dermatitis in sensitive individuals.