Chrysanthemum ×morifolium 'Gong Ju Hua'
Common name(s): Chinese chrysanthemum
Description: perennial; a late-blooming (late November) Chinese chrysanthemum from the Anhui province also known as the tribute chrysanthemum (for the ancient emperors of China). We harvest full, open flowers in the late morning when they are most potent and then store them in a dark, dry place indoors for later consumption.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.
Position: full sun and well-draining soil
Uses: medicine, culinary- herbal tea
Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below
Care: no special care needed; old growth can be pruned to just above the ground in spring to refresh the foliage
Notes: Chrysanthemum ×morifolium is a complex hybrid (C. argyrophyllum × C. dichrum × C. indicum × C. nankingense × C. zawadzkii) that has been cultivated in China for over 3,000 years. There are 4 cultigens noted as having superior flowers for making chrysanthemum tea (bo ju hua, chu ju hua, gong ju hua, and hang ju hua). Each cultigen has its own lore and unique uses in traditional Chinese medicine.