Saturday, June 07, 2008

Princess Haiku aspires to a small chrysanthemum garden



I am going to try to grow some of the amazing rare flowers, that I have featured in other posts on my blog. The special elder man that gave me these flowers and introduced me to the "Way of the Chrysanthemum" left this world a few weeks ago. He was very old and had a wonderful life and leaves a garden of mindfulness, compassion and empathy behind. If we all left such goodness on this earth the world would be well served.

For several days I was deeply saddened thinking that the beauty and grace of these flowers would no longer touch my life. Perhaps because I am a poet and not a flower grower it did not at first occur to me, that I could grow my own. A friend asked the obvious and voila; a wonderful idea was born.

I looked online, found King's Mums, which specializes in chrysanthemums and ordered five spider chrysanthemum rooted cuttings. They should arrive in a few days. The small cuttings need to be potted in four inch pots and as you can see I have five red pots waiting. After they grow larger I will transplant them into two larger rectangular boxes. The area I have prepared for this little garden is flooded with sunlight and I hopeful that my flowers will turn their faces to the sun. I have tried to do many things in life and often my health has interfered, but I am certain my tiny garden will flourish. When my flowers are full grown I will make gifts of them to others in the same spirit the magenta ones were given to me.

I ordered Flair (pale magenta) Fleur de Lis (deep magenta) Golden Rain and White Icicles. I intend to share every part of my chrysanthemum garden with you and perhaps these flowers, considered by Buddhist monks in Japan to be holy, will grace your lives too.

13 comments:

DeLi said...

i am not a flower grower myself too.. i never have permanence as i move form one flat to another and lovely flower pot gifts of friends die...maybe one day..

good luck :-)

Yodood said...

Although rarely more than a symbolic return to the natural curve in a life overstuffed with the blades of civilization's imposed divisions, horticulture is probably the most accessible portal for folks who find themselves in cramped pigeon holes of their own defining. Like grass through cracks in the sidewalk, your nature will out. Best wishes — looking forward to reports.

Jannie Funster said...

This year so far i have impatiens and lantana. The lone rose bloomed all winter and the crepe myrtles wil return like sunrise.

So i'm not a total gardening loser, yay!

Beatrice V said...

PH, I have great expectations that in your hands, the flowers will unfold like poems. I shall wait for the day to see the photographs of those flowers grown by you.

Squirrel said...

I plan to get loads of chrysanthmums this year--thanks to you posting about them . I never knew how many varieties, etc...

lotusgreen said...

what a terrific idea princess. i love the one you chose, and i love the one at the top of the post.

i wonder if it's difficult to root mum cuttings.... so plants are incredibly easy.

(went and looked it up)

yeah!: Few plants develop roots as rapidly as chrysanthemums. After a few weeks in a pot, a skimpy little plant will become healthy and well-rooted, though in northern or short-season areas you won't get much of a plant or many blooms that first year. You can also root the stem tips you pinch from your plants in spring by sticking them in damp potting soil, sand, or vermiculite. Even with no help from rooting powder, stem cuttings will start rooting within a week.

(from here: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/marvelousmums)

that's a way you can keep his own plants going for as long as you want.

R.L. Bourges said...

looking forward to watching your garden grow, princess.

cbb said...

What a wonderful way to honor your friend. And that last photo is as ethereal as you and your poetry are - I really love it.

Do you suppose spider chrysanthemums are deities for spiders?

White Rose said...

I hope your flowers flourish!

Anonymous said...

A fabulous project! I can't wait!

VW said...

A post of heart-felt, very wise sentiment.

May you truly develop a passion for growing your flowers.

Jess Haskins said...

How lovely. Best of luck with your new garden!

Anonymous said...

Dear Darling
i wish you all the best with making (one of) your dreams come real!
and i'm sure we will see how your special flowers grow into the wonder photos that you make.

with love
moon
israel