September 22 marks the first day of fall, making it the prime season for one of autumn’s quintessential flowers, mums. Under normal circumstances, Sun City’s Sunflower Garden Club would have hosted their annual mum flower sale this month, demonstrating the beauty and vibrancy that mums can offer residents.
Whether they prefer them outside in a garden or keep them as a nice indoor plant, the possibilities are endless.
What is a mum exactly? Known by their botanical name, Chrysanthemums, “mums” are an ancient flower, cultivated in China as far back as the 15th century. Flowers can be as small as a quarter or big as a dinner plate. They bloom in various shapes, according to variety. Mums can be flat flowers with a single or double layer of petals that look like daisies, or a mounded flower with long petals shaped like tubes or quills.
In light of the current pandemic however, the Sunflower Garden Club was forced to cancel their annual sale this year.
Residents have been made aware that despite restrictions loosening up a bit around Sun City, as of August 26, the SCCAH Board of Directors have continued to stand firm on their decision to suspend charter club and other special interest group activities through the end of the year.
SCCAH Board President, Dennis O’Leary, explained, “The Board has directed all club activity to cease during this COVID time. The ‘event’ is a club activity. Approving this would mean we are violating our own directive. The Board is of the mind that the time for club activities has not arrived yet.”
The Sunflower Garden Club’s request to conduct the flower sale failed to pass with five votes for no and one vote for yes.
Despite not being able to host their annual mum sale, Sue Coltman, President of the Sunflower Garden Club maintains a positive outlook on the situation.
“I agree with the Board’s decision. You really can’t social distance when you have 400 potted mums all around you. We’re disappointed we can’t have the mum sale, but at the same time, we understand that this is the right thing to do. We have to take baby steps to get back to normal,” Coltman said.
Like the hardy garden variety of mums, the Sunflower Garden Club will continue to remain resilient, toughing through even the harshest of situations.
