Chrysanthemum, also known as florist's daisy and hardy garden mum, is a
popular fall-blooming garden ornamental in eastern North America,
although the plant is actually native to Asia.
In China, where the plant is called Ju Hua, chrysanthemum has been
cultivated for thousands of years for making teas. Chrysanthemum,
together with bamboo, the plum blossom and the orchid, collectively
comprise The Four Gentlemen or The Four Noble Ones. Singularly,
chrysanthemum represents the brave warrior, the introspective hermit,
longevity and good fortune in the Language of Flowers. The plant is so
highly revered in China that it has been celebrated with an annual
festival since the Song Dynasty, which spanned from 960 until 1279 AD.
