Chrysanthemum Festival
November 7-23, 2025
Step into autumn’s splendor as Lan Su Chinese Garden transforms with the colors and textures of chrysanthemums, honoring the flower’s central role in China’s Double Ninth Festival.
Stroll among 100+ brilliant potted mums, cascading displays along the waterfall, and sweeping floral sculptures that transform the garden into a living gallery.
Celebrate the Beauty of Blooms
Festival Highlights
From dazzling floral artistry to hands-on learning opportunities, Chrysanthemum Festival is one of Lan Su’s most anticipated annual celebrations—and an unforgettable way to experience the garden in fall. Check out the highlights below and start planning your visit!
Experience
November 7-9 | 5-7 PM
Separate tickets required
The annual Floral Design Showcase kicks off with our signature evening event. Delight in a visual treat as each artist’s work is illuminated from within. Enjoy gentle music and all ages fun as you wander among larger-than-life glowing lanterns and vote for your favorite designs of the evening!
Experience
November 7-13 | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Free with admission or membership
Presented in partnership with PNW Florist Association
Discover stories of creativity and passion with stunning chrysanthemum displays crafted by more than a dozen local floral designers. This year’s theme is inspired by Tao Yuanming’s timeless poem Drinking Wine (Verse 5), evoking the beauty of quiet reflection amid autumn’s splendor.
Discover
Plant Tours
Explore stunning chrysanthemum displays throughout the garden, including more than 100 potted mums that will change how you see these humble flowers. Plus, get tips for growing your own at home!
Learn
Horticulture Workshops
From flower crowns to floral arrangement, grow your skills with expert help. Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out if one catches your eye! See upcoming workshops below.
Play
Family Fun
Dive into hands-on activities for all ages and discover what makes chrysanthemums such an iconic flower worth celebrating. Drop in for calligraphy and crafts on weekends! Schedules and more details below.
All Upcoming Chrysanthemum Festival Events
List of events in Photo View
Taking Inspiration from Poetry
Tao Yuanming’s “Drinking Wine (Verse 5)” is the most alluded to Chinese poem on chrysanthemums. Because of the seasonal timing of these resilient flowers with the Double Ninth Festival, we chose to center this poem as the inspiration for this year’s Floral Design Showcase. Each designer was challenged with a section of the poem to creatively interpret in their display.
Click through the tabs to see the original version in traditional Chinese and a common English translation of the poem.
飲酒•其五 | 陶淵明
結廬在人境，而無車馬喧。
問君何能爾？心遠地自偏。
採菊東籬下，悠然見南山。
山氣日夕佳，飛鳥相與還。
此中有真意，欲辯已忘言。
“Drinking Wine” (Verse 5) By Tao Yuanming
In people’s haunt I built my cot;
Of wheel’s and hoof’s noise I hear not.
How can it leave on me no trace?
Secluded heart makes secluded place
I pick fenceside chrysanthemums at will;
Carefree I see the southern hill.
The mountain air’s fresh day and night;
Together birds go home in flight.
What revelation at this view?
Words fail me if I try to tell you.
Translated by Xu Yuanchong (許淵沖)
Note: In Xu Yuanchong’s classic translation, the flower is rendered as “aster” for poetic effect; here we use “chrysanthemum” to honor the original Chinese text (菊) and reflect the theme of our design showcase.
Chinese Symbol of Autumn:
The Chrysanthemum
The Chrysanthemum has been cultivated in China as early as 700 BC and soon gained favor as the symbol of Autumn. Longevity and immortality are only a couple of its themes in part due to its use in medicine and earning its fame in poetry. The famous Chinese scholar poet Tao Yuanming 陶淵明 (365-427 CE) made the proverbial connection with the lifestyle of a hermit as the autumn chrysanthemum avoids the crowded floral market in the spring.
