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