Cool Chrysanthemums

Posted in Exhibitions, Gardens and Collections, Programs and Events on November 8 2010, by Plant Talk

Chrysanthemums. You see them everywhere this time of year; their cheery little faces in a rainbow of hues (all except blue!) brightening up front stoops, fire escapes, tree guards, and otherwise bedraggled gardens all over the city.  But trust us, you’ve never seen chrysanthemums like this!

On display now for a limited time–just until Sunday, November 21–at the Bourke-Sullivan display house is a wonderland of Japanese chrysanthemums. These mums are far more than the plastic pots you can jump in your car and buy at your local gardening center.  These mums are coddled and cultivated and trained and coaxed into a kaleidoscopic array of shapes–dizzying spirals, sprawling umbrellas, cascading waves–each form composed entirely of just one plant. That’s right. One plant.

Take for example the stunning, snow white ozukuri or umbrella (seen above). This single plant started as one tiny little stem, and has literally blossomed into a froth of 464 flowers that measure 12 feet by 8 feet.

And while the ozukuri is spectacular, I am personally smitten with the cascades of flowers, flowing down the greenhouse walls (seen along the back wall in the photo above).These flower sculptures are grown on a frame that is tipped upwards, since all plants want to grow towards the light. When they’re ready for display, the frame is removed and the flower cascade is gently released downwards into a gorgeous drift of color and texture.

These Japanese chrysanthemum displays are definitely a little odd, but like most things odd, they’re also completely fascinating. And speaking of odd, when you visit, be sure to look up. Those staghorn ferns (which you can just catch a glimpse of in the photo above) are a thing of wonder.