Flower of the Week: Chrysanthemum
In late fall when everything begins to wither, vibrant chrysanthemums continue to bloom in gardens. This beautiful flower is a perennial herb of Asteraceae. It is native to Asia and Northern Europe, with many diverse varieties originating from China. The rich flower patterns and wonderful colors, as well as the wide application in landscape architecture and cut-flower market, make chrysanthemum the queen of September.
As the origin of the chrysanthemum, East Asia has a long history of cultivating ornamental varieties of this flower. If you wish to see spectacular chrysanthemum scenery, a trip to East Asia is definitely a good choice.
Kasama’s Kiku Matsuri is undoubtedly one of the most influential festivals dedicated to celebrating the viewing and blooming of chrysanthemum in Japan. The event dates back to 1890, making it the oldest chrysanthemum festival in the country. Every year from mid-October to late November, 600,000 tourists go to Kasama and visit the Kasama Inari Shrine where 10,000 pots of chrysanthemums are displayed. The shrine is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
There is also a special area where you can pay to see an incredible exhibition of indoor mannequins dressed as important historical figures in Japan. The mannequins are covered in blooming chrysanthemums.
Chrysanthemum is one of four famous traditional flowers in China. The Beijing Chrysanthemum Festival is held in several major parks in Beijing every fall. Beihai Park and the International Flower Port are two of the best spots to see thousands of beautiful chrysanthemum varieties. The famous Chrysanthemum exhibition in Beihai Park has been held more than 20 consecutive times and mainly features Pinzhong Chrysanthemum, Cliff Chrysanthemum, Desk Chrysanthemum, Bonsai Chrysanthemum, and a flower art exhibition. Additionally, chrysanthemum variety competitions also take place throughout the exhibition.
The event takes place from November 1 to 21. One entrance ticket provides the holder access to the entire exhibition. Besides the Chrysanthemum Exhibition, you can also visit other historical parts of Beihai Park.
The blooming of a chrysanthemum represents fall, but if you think what you see is just a chrysanthemum, you are wrong.
Like other plants in the Chrysanthemum genus, chrysanthemum is a compound flower. This means that the flower head of the chrysanthemum is composed of many independent sessile flowers, including the outer ligules and the central disc florets. The outer ligules are the “petals” we see and are usually asexual that can’t bear fruit. The disc florets in the middle can produce both pollen and fruit, which makes it hermaphroditic.
These small, single florets could be easily missed by insects the plant needs to come by and pollinate. As a result, the chrysanthemum has evolved so that many small florets gather into flower heads to make the florets appear larger. Especially when the outer ligules on the edge open, this makes the flower heads more eye-catching, attracting more insects.
However, with the artificial breeding of chrysanthemum over many years, various varieties have more ligulate florets. More often than not, we can’t really spot the central disc florets.
Most chrysanthemums originated from China, and records of the flower reach as far back as 500 BC. In China, the chrysanthemum has a very deep historical and cultural background. It is a symbol of indifference and seclusion. Oriental hermits who are tired of worldly fame and wealth plant them in their solitary villages. In addition, because chrysanthemum is almost the last blooming flower in fall as it prepares for cold weather, Chinese people also think that it represents the quality of bravery and tenacity.
Chrysanthemum’s full blooming season comes at the same time as the season for crabs. There is a custom of eating crabs and enjoying chrysanthemum in the Jiangnan area of China.
Ren Bonian (1840-1896) the painting of drinking with crab claws
Chrysanthemum was introduced into Japan from China in the 8th century. It was originally used as medicine and a symbol of longevity. A few centuries later, in the Kamakura era, the “ichimonji” type became the official symbol of the Japanese royal family. The corolla of this chrysanthemum has 16 petals. Japanese passports also have such chrysanthemum patterns, but the outermost layer is missing. Up to now, chrysanthemum is still a common pattern of Japanese traditional art such as that found on porcelain, lacquer, and kimono.
The family emblem of the Japanese royal family – 16 petals and eight layers of chrysanthemum.
In East Asia, fresh chrysanthemum flowers are dried to make chrysanthemum tea or for consumption. Japanese chefs will use small chrysanthemums as a side dish to sashimi, whereas in Guangdong, China they add fresh chrysanthemum into snake soup to enhance its fragrance.
Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum was first introduced to the United States during the colonial period because of its easy cultivation, variety of flower types, and colors. Its popularity grows day by day, so that chrysanthemum is now indisputably the “Queen of Fall Flowers”. Chrysanthemum is also the largest commercially produced flower in the United States and the most widely cultivated potted plant.
Chrysanthemum cultivation farm
However, an interesting contrast to many Americans’ positive feelings about chrysanthemum (which is displayed at athletic games and used as housewarming gifts), in many European countries the chrysanthemum is called the flower of death. In countries such as Belgium and Austria, chrysanthemums are used almost exclusively as commemorative bouquets on tombs.
White chrysanthemums are often used as the flowers for funerals
If it is properly taken care of, chrysanthemums can bloom continuously from fall to early winter. How do you keep your garden full of delightful chrysanthemums blooming and safe from pests? Read and practice the following tips carefully, and you will reap flowers that your neighbors will soon envy.
First, try to plant your chrysanthemum in spring so that it has a whole season to grow. This is especially helpful for the growth of the root system. Your chrysanthemum may bloom early in summer, but you can nip off these buds so that the plant will bloom with more graceful flowers in fall.
Chrysanthemum can be propagated by sowing, cutting, and branching. The most effective method is branching. In spring, you can divide a chrysanthemum that has been growing for more than two years, but take care to avoid damage to the root. It is also very important to change pots for chrysanthemums. The root systems of chrysanthemums grow very fast. If a pot is not changed for a long time, the root system will become crowded and have a hard time retaining water. Choose a larger pot than the original one and gently break up the root system while trying not to damage it for repotting.
Size: Two to three feet tall
Hardiness: Zones 3 through 9
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Rich and moist, slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom time: Late summer and fall