Saga no Izumi

Chrysanthemum morifolium "Saga no izumi"

Flower name
Saga no Izumi
Scientific name
Chrysanthemum morifolium "Saga no izumi"
Alias菊, キク, 嵯峨菊, Saga Chrysanthemum, 嵯峨の泉, さがのいずみ, サガノイズミ
Place of originvariety of the traditional Japanese chrysanthemum
Place of floweringHorticultural species, Potted flower
Flowering seasonNovember

What is Saga no Izumi

"Saga no Izumi" (Scientific name: Chrysanthemum morifolium "Saga no izumi") is a variety of the traditional Japanese chrysanthemum known as Saga giku or Saga chrysanthemum (Scientific name: Chrysanthemum morifolium "Saga"). This white chrysanthemum was cultivated with the image of snowy scenes around the Imperial Palace in mind. Saga chrysanthemums, along with Edo chrysanthemums and Higo chrysanthemums, are recognized as one of the three classical chrysanthemums in Japan.

These flowers were cultivated from wild chrysanthemums during the reign of Emperor Saga (52nd Emperor, 786–842) and are associated with Daikakuji Temple in Sagano, Kyoto, an area with a deep historical connection to the chrysanthemum. For a long time, they were not permitted to be taken outside the temple grounds. Like other chrysanthemums, they feature a flower head with ray florets around the edge and disk florets in the center.

Characteristics of Saga Chrysanthemums:
Single-layer blooms, solid colors, and shades including white, red, dark pink, light pink, and yellow.
When they first bloom, the flowers spread outward horizontally, but as they continue to bloom, the ray florets twist and stand upright, creating a shape reminiscent of a tea whisk or sparkler, similar to the “soft Mohawk” hairstyle.
Ideally, the bloom has 54 ray florets, each around 10 cm long.

Common Name: Saga "Saga no Izumi"
Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium "Saga no izumi"
English Name: Saga Chrysanthemum
Classification: Kingdom Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Order Asterales, Family Asteraceae, Genus Chrysanthemum, Species C. morifolium
Plant Height: 1.5–2 meters
Leaf Shape: Chrysanthemum-like leaves
Inflorescence Type: Capitulum (head flower)
Flower Diameter: 3 cm
Flower Color: White
Blooming Period: November