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