Chrysanthemums are members of the Asteracea or Compositae family along with dahlias, sunflowers, and marigolds. All grow well in the Virginia Garden.

The National Chrysanthemum Society divides bloom forms into 13 classes.

Mums are perennials in warmer climates but are grown as annuals for fall bloom. Garden mum is the common name for Dendranthema.

Flowering occurs in response to shorter days and longer nights. The flower is composed of florets shaped like a disk, a ray or both as in the daisy type chrysanthemum.