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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 China 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.
1howto.com
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