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 Lafayette 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:
Lafayette flower Lafayette send flower Lafayette flower delivery Lafayette christmas flower Lafayette wedding flower Lafayette flower shop Lafayette flower girl dress Lafayette flower online Lafayette floral arrangement Lafayette flower picture Lafayette flower gift Lafayette order flower Lafayette wild flower Lafayette silk flower Lafayette flower tattoo Lafayette funeral flower Lafayette broken flower Lafayette tropical flower Lafayette flower seed Lafayette sympathy flower Lafayette wholesale flower Lafayette flower uk Lafayette valentine flower Lafayette fresh flower Lafayette buy flower Lafayette flower delivery chicago Lafayette flower garden Lafayette lotus flower Lafayette rose flower Lafayette hawaii flower Lafayette flower meaning Lafayette online flower delivery Lafayette flower girl Lafayette ftd flower Lafayette cheap flower Lafayette flower tucci Lafayette buy flower online Lafayette send flower online Lafayette discount flower Lafayette type of flower Lafayette mother day flower Lafayette valentine day flower Lafayette anniversary flower Lafayette spring flower Lafayette flower bouquet Lafayette state flower Lafayette picture of wedding flower Lafayette flower name Lafayette florist flower Lafayette flower bulb Lafayette internet flower Lafayette philadelphia flower show Lafayette silk flower arrangement Lafayette flower clipart Lafayette flower photo Lafayette flower wallpaper Lafayette exotic flower Lafayette flower basket Lafayette silk wedding flower Lafayette wholesale silk flower Lafayette flower girl basket Lafayette artificial flower Lafayette flower vase Lafayette brandon flower Lafayette wedding flower arrangement Lafayette flower pot Lafayette pink flower Lafayette birthday flower Lafayette dried flower Lafayette purple flower Lafayette origami flower Lafayette blue flower Lafayette passion flower Lafayette hibiscus flower Lafayette bridal flower Lafayette cheap flower girl dress Lafayette pro flower Lafayette order flower online Lafayette flower for algernon Lafayette part of a flower Lafayette lotus flower tattoo Lafayette flower tattoo design Lafayette flower los angeles Lafayette international flower delivery Lafayette flower picures Lafayette iris flower Lafayette virtual flower Lafayette flower chicago Lafayette flower painting Lafayette white flower farm Lafayette flower delivery uk Lafayette flower plant Lafayette white flower Lafayette flower drawing Lafayette cartoon flower Lafayette flower delivery los angeles Lafayette discount flower girl dress Lafayette flower video Lafayette flower shop chicago Lafayette april flower
