"I pluck chrysanthemums under the eastern fence, and serenely I gaze at the southern mountains." This is a quote from the famous poem Drinking Wine by Tao Qian (Tao Yuanming), a renowned poet who lived during the Eastern Jin (AD 317—420) period in ancient China. Tao was a zesty lover of chrysanthemums, for both their beauty and the flourish cultural meaning the flower represents in Chinese culture.

Chrysanthemum is native to China and was then introduced all over the world, becoming popular because of its beauty. Ancient Chinese people vested the flower with characteristics like nobility, which is also associated with a gentleman, and longevity. Thus the cultivation of chrysanthemum increased day by day and different varieties were created. 

The chrysanthemum is normally planted for ornamental purposes but it's also used to make herbal tea, medicine, and is used in some Chinese dishes.

If you want to plant chrysanthemums and let these showy flowers thrive in your garden, there are few things you have to keep in mind. There are literally hundreds of types of chrysanthemums, with different environmental conditions requirements. Hence, if you are a new gardener, you should choose those that are relatively resistant. Besides, chrysanthemums need plenty of air circulation, water drainage, and morning sun to dry the dew, thus placing is very important. For the soil, it can thrive by itself, but a balanced fertilizer can help it grow better.

(Cover image via VCG, designed by CGTN's Li Wenyi)

(Video via VCG, edited by CGTN's Xu Chenlu)

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