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‘Mums’ the word at Shelburne Fresh Variety As October is well under way and Halloween is right around the corner, gardeners and decorators alike are stocking up on outdoor Mums for the colder season. A hardy flower also known as Chrysanthemums, Mums are well known for being able to survive the unpredictable and fluctuating temperatures of the fall season. Mums also are available in a variety of colours and Shelburne Fresh Variety have something to appeal to everyone. But why Mums in particular? Would it surprise people to know the tradition of decorating with Mums has a deeply rooted history in Texas? Well, it may surprise you even more to discover this flower's roots can trace all the way back to China! According to the National Chrysanthemum Society of the United States, in early writings found in China, as early as the 15th Century B.C, mums were referenced and also featured with artistic portrayals on pottery. Then rumored to be the flower with the power of life, mums roots, when boiled reputably cured headaches. A city in China, Chu-Hsien, meaning Chrysanthemum City was actually named for the flower. By the 8th Century A.D this wild little floral immigrant had made its way to Japan becoming the recognized symbol of the Imperial Order of the Chrysanthemum, the Highest Order of Chivalry. Japan even went one step further celebrating National Chrysanthemum Day, also known as the Festival of Happiness. It wasn't until the 17th Century this feisty colorful, famous, and celebrated flower made its way to American Colonies where it found fame yet again becoming known as the Queen of the fall flowers. Eventually over time, Texas adopted the flower as its recognized floral symbol of prestige tying it in with football, homecoming queens and of course, Canada didn't miss a step following the tradition in its own way. Yes indeed, this flower we adore has travelled the world, can be found in many varieties and as everyone knows is the flower of choice when outdoor decorating for Halloween. Note worthy is the fact Belgians and many European countries regard this flower as the flower of choice for burials and refer to it as the Flower of Death which is in direct contrast to its reputation as the flower with the power of life! If this recognition embracing life and representing death was not enough, a tasty tidbit of information came to light when in 1997, a botanist with the Hebrew University, Avinoam Danin identified the type of Chrysanthemum as coronaruim, Cistus Creticus and Zygophyllum found on the pressed image widely believed to be the image of Jesus Christ revealed on the Shroud Of Turin found in photographs taken in 1931. Spooky and just in time for Halloween! Happy decorating! By Alex Sher  
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Post date: 2013-10-11 09:46:44 Post date GMT: 2013-10-11 13:46:44 Post modified date: 2013-10-16 19:06:42 Post modified date GMT: 2013-10-16 23:06:42 |
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