Be careful of the queen!

  Mark brought home two large mum plants for either side of the doorway.  This has been sort of a ritual for the past few years and, I have to admit, it sure makes the place look like fall.  The ones he brought this time were still just buds so they are opening slowly and should last for quite a while.  Each time I enter the Little Bayou House, I have to stop and smile.  Fall has come!

  Have you ever wondered why mums have become the "Queen of Fall Flowers"?  I do ponder such odd things and often have to research a bit to satisfy that nagging thought.  Why?  Who made the decision that chrysanthemums represented fall?  Not that I am complaining...just wondering.  Well, my research did not satisfy the ponderance.  Everything states that they are known as the "Queen" but not much else.  Most of the authors give a history of where mums originated, how Texas has homecoming mums and how we all like them but nothing is said of why they have been dubbed as queen.  Why not daisies?  The roadsides are full of yellow daisies.  Why not purple ageratum?   That stuff is amazingly brilliant, drought tolerant and long lasting.  Why not goldenrod?  Oh yeah.  Goldenrod gets the bad rap of being an allergen even though that is hogwash.  Still, it perplexed me as to why mums?

   Even with all of the rambling about homecoming and colors, there was no real reason ever given.  I guess I should just enjoy the blooms without questioning the titles.  They are favorites!  Do keep in mind, however, that mums are toxic to dogs! Eating one could cause a lot of major problems so it is best to keep your pets away from the fall decorations.  (Not that old Mr. PJ would ever eat a flower but you never know!)  So, long live the queen!