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