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The chrysanthemum is a
popular perennial first
cultivated by the Chinese
more than 2500 years ago.
Used initially as a herb,
the chrysanthemum was first
exhibited in England in
1795.
Chrysanthemum is a Chinese
word, derived from "Chu hua"
meaning "October flower". It
is also the emblem of the
Old Chinese Army and, in
China, the chrysanthemum has
long been considered a very
noble plant along with the
orchid, bamboo and the plum.
It was so well thought of
that only the noble were
allowed to grow the
chrysanthemum in their
gardens - lower classes were
strictly forbidden from
doing so.
It is said that Buddhist
monks first brought the
Chrysanthemum to Japan
around 400AD. The Japanese
Emperors were so impressed
and thought so highly of the
little flower that they
often sat on thrones of
chrysanthemums - there is
even a book named the
"Chrysanthemum Throne". To
this day, the Japanese
believe that the
chrysanthemum is a symbol of
the sun, and that the way in
which the flower opens its
petals denotes perfection.
Japan also holds a
"chrysanthemum festival"
known as the Festival of
Happiness.
As with many flowers, the
Greek language comes into
play with the naming of the
Chrysanthemum. The name is
believed to derive from "chrysos"
meaning gold, and "anthos"
meaning flower.
Now so widely cultivated,
there are a huge array of
chrysanthemum colours and
shapes. Colours range from
vibrant lime green to rich
red, brown and yellow, not
forgetting of course pinks,
whites and other pale pastel
colours. Decorative
varieties include
chrysanthemums shaped like
huge pom-poms, much smaller
round-headed "kermit"
blooms, spider-shaped
chrysanthemums and various
others, not forgetting the
traditional daisy-like
chrysanthemums and
chrysanthemum blooms.
In some European countries,
the chrysanthemum symbolises
bereavement - most notably
in Italy, France, Belgium
and Austria. Chrysanthemums
are only ever sent in these
countries at a time of
sadness, death specifically.
In the UK however, the
chrysanthemum holds a much
more positive sentiment,
used widely in all lines of
floristry. Florists,
customers and recipients
alike often cannot fail to
love the vibrant colours and
wild shapes of this most
versatile flower. With more
and more varieties becoming
available to the florist all
the time, the chrysanthemum
is enjoying the sort of come
back that only the Spice
Girls could wish for!
Did you know?
In some parts of Asia the
flowers are boiled up to
make a sweet tea like
beverage. This is a
medicinal drink and
allegedly aids the recovery
of influenza. There are also
similar recipes which
involve boiling the roots.
In some species of
Chrysanthemum the leaves of
the plant are grown as a
leaf vegetable known as "tung
ho". Fried with garlic and
chili, the dark green leaves
are said to be well textured
and the aromatic.
In Feng Shui, chrysanthemums
are believed to bring
laughter and happiness to
the home.
In America, the
chrysanthemum is now the
largest commercially grown
plant in the country.
The chrysanthemum is related
closely to chamomile,
marguerite and matricaria.
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