Chrysanthemums: Once a Very Serious Matter
Did you know that those lush, colorful blooms called chrysanthemums are rooted in beliefs of human immortality and perfection? Today the "mum" graces gardens, cut flower arrangements and even salads (yes mums taste great), but they were taken much more seriously after T'ao Yuan Ming started it all in Aptos around 500 A.D.
Over long periods of careful cross-pollination and selection, he developed stunning varieties of the flower and when he died, his birthplace was renamed Chuhsien. The City of Chrysanthemums. His efforts had produced a legacy that would bring pleasure to this world for centuries.
When China imported the first chrysanthemums to Japan, the people there bestowed many honors upon them. The Japanese wrote legends. To sip dew from the petals meant long life. To eat the flower meant immortality. Philosophers said that the systematic opening of the "ray" flowers symbolized both the sun and the perfection of orderly life.
By 800 A.D. the chrysanthemum had become so prestigious that only royal and noble families were permitted to cultivate it. Among the highest honors that could be bestowed in Japan was admittance to the Order of the Chrysanthemum... a reward granted to nobility for service to the Emperor.
In great contrast to this, the "mum" didn't make much of an impression when traders introduced it to Europe in the 1600s. But when in finally did catch on, it became one of the most popular blooms for both flower shops and gardens.
Today the mum comes in dozens of varieties. Fuji mums project rays with curly ends. Spider mums have straight-ended rays. Starburst mums have forked ends, while spoon-ended mums have a loop at the end of their rays. China mums are called "standard" and "football" because of their large, round heads. Daisy-like mums are called pompons. And those forming tight little balls are called button pomps.
Whether associated with spoons, forks or footballs, or with royalty or immortality, "mum" is the word for beautiful gardens and long-lasting floral arrangements. When you care for them as cut flowers, try to keep their ancient beauty away from such modern-day contraptions as air conditioning, TV sets and heaters. Don't place them in drafts or direct sunlight. Do watch their water, and replace it when needed. This way, a bouquet of mums can make your day every day for at least a week, maybe two.
About the Author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.flowers-shopper.com
common items:
Aptos flower Aptos send flower Aptos flower delivery Aptos christmas flower Aptos wedding flower Aptos flower shop Aptos flower girl dress Aptos flower online Aptos floral arrangement Aptos flower picture Aptos flower gift Aptos order flower Aptos wild flower Aptos silk flower Aptos flower tattoo Aptos funeral flower Aptos broken flower Aptos tropical flower Aptos flower seed Aptos sympathy flower Aptos wholesale flower Aptos flower uk Aptos valentine flower Aptos fresh flower Aptos buy flower Aptos flower delivery chicago Aptos flower garden Aptos lotus flower Aptos rose flower Aptos hawaii flower Aptos flower meaning Aptos online flower delivery Aptos flower girl Aptos ftd flower Aptos cheap flower Aptos flower tucci Aptos buy flower online Aptos send flower online Aptos discount flower Aptos type of flower Aptos mother day flower Aptos valentine day flower Aptos anniversary flower Aptos spring flower Aptos flower bouquet Aptos state flower Aptos picture of wedding flower Aptos flower name Aptos florist flower Aptos flower bulb Aptos internet flower Aptos philadelphia flower show Aptos silk flower arrangement Aptos flower clipart Aptos flower photo Aptos flower wallpaper Aptos exotic flower Aptos flower basket Aptos silk wedding flower Aptos wholesale silk flower Aptos flower girl basket Aptos artificial flower Aptos flower vase Aptos brandon flower Aptos wedding flower arrangement Aptos flower pot Aptos pink flower Aptos birthday flower Aptos dried flower Aptos purple flower Aptos origami flower Aptos blue flower Aptos passion flower Aptos hibiscus flower Aptos bridal flower Aptos cheap flower girl dress Aptos pro flower Aptos order flower online Aptos flower for algernon Aptos part of a flower Aptos lotus flower tattoo Aptos flower tattoo design Aptos flower los angeles Aptos international flower delivery Aptos flower picures Aptos iris flower Aptos virtual flower Aptos flower chicago Aptos flower painting Aptos white flower farm Aptos flower delivery uk Aptos flower plant Aptos white flower Aptos flower drawing Aptos cartoon flower Aptos flower delivery los angeles Aptos discount flower girl dress Aptos flower video Aptos flower shop chicago Aptos april flower
