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