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