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