One of everyone’s favorite aspects of the oncoming autumn season is the distinct new colors and plants it brings. As we watch the environment shift into its gorgeous harvest attire, here are some interesting facts about the special fall related crops:

Chrysanthemums

-Normally nicknamed ‘mums,’ are perennials that begin showing in flower shops and floral sections in stores. If you buy them potted, they can be planted in your yard or garden and they will return in the spring!

– The birth flower for November.

• As indoor house plants, they help remove toxins from the air.

-The leaves and petals are edible, the leaves can be boiled or steamed to be eaten as a leafy vegetable, and the petals can be made into tea! This is especially popular in China.

Asters

– Left to grow on their own outdoors can reach 2-6 feet in height.

-Their blooms are actually clusters of about 300 tiny flowers with larger petals surrounding.

– The  birth flower for September.

-Seeds of the Bushy Aster are spread by the wind.

–There is an entire branch of botany devoted to the study of asters called synantherology

Heleniums 

– When planted are very sturdy and resilient to heat.

-Nicknamed Sneezeweed, although they aren’t actually linked to sneezing or hay fever, and have been used in Native American medicine to treat fevers and head-colds. The medicinal qualities have been confirmed by the National Cancer Institute.

-In Greek mythology it was said they came from the tears of Helen of Troy.