November birth flower: chrysanthemum

The story behind the November birth flower

November's only birth flower on most lists is the chrysanthemum. The lists are English and American, and November is late autumn there, when chrysanthemums are one of the few flowers still going strong in gardens.

Kate Greenaway's Language of Flowers (1884) splits the meaning by colour: red means "I love", white means truth and yellow means slighted love. In Japan the chrysanthemum is the imperial emblem, and in parts of Europe it's the flower laid on graves, so it's worth knowing who you're giving it to. In Australia it's best known as the Mother's Day flower.

Chrysanthemums are sold here all year, but their natural season is autumn, so a November bunch comes from glasshouse growers or imports. That's no hardship for the birthday person, because they're one of the longest-lasting cut flowers you can buy. Ask for disbuds, with one big flower per stem, for something formal, or sprays for a relaxed, garden-style bunch.

If you'd like to mix it up, November is late spring and generous. Peonies are at their peak from Victorian and Tasmanian growers. Sweet peas are in their last good month before the heat and bring scent. NSW Christmas bush is starting to colour and works for a birthday near the end of the month. Waratahs are still around in early November. Jacarandas are flowering too, but they're a tree to visit, not a cut flower.

Gift tip: Late November birthdays run into Christmas party and end-of-year orders, so book with your florist a few days ahead rather than on the day.