Did you know the City of Bedford has an official flower? The Azaleamum – a name given by some plant dealers to certain varieties of chrysanthemum that were compact, hardy and early flowering – was adopted by the city in 1940. These plants are also know as Chrysanthemum Amelia or as Pink Cushion Mum. The common name Azaleamum comes from the fact that these plants were low-growing and densely flowered, growing in mounds of color that were suggestive of old fashioned azaleas.

To this day, you’ll find these mums around the Civil War Monument on Bedford Commons and in the rotunda gardens at Bedford City Hall.