Chrysanthemums cut fresh from the garden make striking tabletop bouquets. This month you can buy plants in bloom at nurseries, or flowers by the stem at a florist.

They come in a wide range of forms, from anemone (petals surrounding a raised center disk) and decoratives (broad petals overlapped like shingles) to spiders (tubular petals with hooked tips). Named varieties are available by mail from King's Mums.

Or visit the nursery during its annual open house (9-5 daily Oct 1-Nov 30; free; 20303 E. Liberty Rd., Clements, CA; www.kingsmums.com or 209/759-3571).