In the history of the world, certain flowers have been cultivated and appreciated for their sheer enjoyment rather than for any special purpose.
A few noteworthy kinds with an extensive background are the chrysanthemum, rose, violet, carnation, narcissus, tulip, and iris.
Chrysanthemum: An Ancient Flower
With some plants, the cultivated species are so ancient that we know very little about their primitive appearance.
This is true of grains and garden flowers, including the chrysanthemum, which has been grown in the Western world for over 200 years.
Cultivated perhaps longer than most other flowers, more has also been written about this important plant.
National Emblems and Chrysanthemums
In Europe, few countries have adopted flowers used by any other nation for their national emblem. The iris is to France, what the rose is to England, and the thistle to Scotland.
In the Eastern lands, the Lotus early achieved importance in religious ceremonies. Still, for some unknown reason, the chrysanthemum has found its way into the hearts of many of the far Eastern peoples. It is difficult to say whether it is more important as a national flower in China or Japan.
Chrysanthemums: History in China and Japan
We do not know exactly when the chrysanthemum was first grown in Chinese gardens, though we find that Confucius mentioned in his book, Li-Ki, that “the chrysanthemum has its yellow glory.”
With a history of nearly 5,000 years in China, the chrysanthemum was probably cultivated by gardeners for thousands of years.
The first descriptions of its cultivation are found in references to T’ao-Yuan-Ming, who lived in the years 365-427 A.D.
Further evidence is its use in all kinds of artistic expression—painting, sculpture, and pottery. Robert Fortune, the English traveler of the 19th century, found chrysanthemums widely planted and remarked that laboring gardeners often grew them against the wishes of their masters.
Fragmentary records suggest that the chrysanthemum came to Japan from Korea sometime in the 4th century A.D. when that little country paid a “tribute of chrysanthemums” to Japan.
Corroborating this, in the history of the reign of Emperor Kintoku of Japan, this statement appears: “In 386, in the seventy-third year of his reign, seeds of the Kiku (chrysanthemum) were first introduced into Japan from a foreign country—blue, yellow, red, white and violet.” In this case, the country mentioned is Korea.
In Art and Culture
As the general culture in Japan grew during the next few hundred years, the chrysanthemum was cultivated assiduously, and there is a record of a poem written about it in the year 797 by Emperor Kwammu.
Also, in the years 889, 901, and 947, festivals were held by the ruling class for the benefit of the people.
The chrysanthemum, highly regarded and associated with royalty, became the national flower during this time.
It became one of the four important flowers with the Japanese people, having a special significance —plum, cherry, orchid, and chrysanthemum. Many paintings depict this flower, and stylized forms appear on pottery.
Introduction from Orient
The Western world knew little about the chrysanthemum until the Dutch were permitted to trade with Japan in the 16-18th centuries.
When first mentioned in the works of Jacob Breynius in 1688, it had been cultivated and hybridized for hundreds of years with an enthusiasm similar to the Tulipmania of Holland.
The printing of books came to Japan from China and Korea probably in the 13th or 14th centuries, but it was not until some 200 years later that good illustrations from wood block drawings appeared in Japanese books.
Hence, we know little about the early Japanese chrysanthemums before this. The earliest is an illustrated “catalog” of varieties that appeared in Japan in 1736, listing, picturing, and describing 100 varieties.
At first, the chrysanthemum was appreciated in other countries. The blind botanist, Rumphius, in his “Botany of Ammonia” in 1750, mentions the chrysanthemum as a popular flower in the Malay Peninsula, where it is used for decorating the hair.
His early work shows a small pom pom-like flower, perhaps the first “Western” illustration known.
Introduction to the Western World
The early chrysanthemums introduced to the West came from several sources. The small-flowering species seem to have come from China by way of the early explorers.
From 1690 to 1750, it was mentioned by several writers, including Linnaeus in 1753.
It was the middle of the 18th century before any plants were grown in England, which seems not to have flowered.
However, French explorers brought it into France, and there the first flowering was noted in 1789.
First Flowering in England
From France, the chrysanthemum was introduced into England a second time in 1795, and the following year, the Curtis Botanical Magazine stated that the first chrysanthemum bloomed in England. By 1826, 48 varieties were grown in the Chiswick Gardens.
These were followed by other varieties brought from Korea by Robert Fortune in 1846, who also introduced the larger flowering kinds from Japan in 1862.
The first writer in English seriously interested in the chrysanthemum from the historical point of view was John Salter. His book, published in 1865, was followed 20 years later by a similar hook by F. W. Burbidge, who revealed the growing appreciation of the larger-flowered types featured at shows in the early 20th century.
During the latter half of the 19th century, competition in chrysanthemums increased rapidly, and fall shows were held annually in England and later in America.
The first known competitive chrysanthemum show for cut flowers was held in England in 1846.
Popular in Conservatories
Not all of the early work on the chrysanthemum was carried on in England. Large sorts were introduced to the United States in about 1870 by a young Japanese, who sent them to Alpheus Hardy, a Bostonian, as a token of appreciation.
One of these, named Mrs. Alpheus Hardy, became widely distributed. In this period, too, many estate gardeners from England or Scotland brought their knowledge and skill in growing chrysanthemums to this country. Thus they became among the most popular flowers in conservatories.
During the last 25 years, plant scientists have developed the more hardy species now popular in our gardens.
Chrysanthemum shows today may not have the large size of specimens exhibited 50 years ago, but they prove that this flower from the Orient has found a secure place in the hearts of American gardeners.
44659 by Nelson Coon