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