To learn about different cultures and explore foreign aesthetics, students and spectators experienced Japanese horticulture through the array of chrysanthemums, called mums, displayed in varieties of bloom at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden Saturday.
“Chrysanthemum is a special flower because it was a symbol of the emperor in Japan,” said Jeanette Schelin, director of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach.
The garden’s theme revolved around the cultural exchange and influence of Meiji Japan and Victorian England, as visitors were greeted with a collection of mums throughout the front entrance and back tent with award-winning mums, displaying mixtures of forms, colors, shapes and sizes.
The vivid assortment of the best mums, juried by the Chrysanthemum Society of Orange County, flaunted bright colors exhibiting stylish ranges from bonsai to spider mums, to round daisy-like pompons with large flower heads to long threadlike plants with brush-like forms.
A number of students, plant-lovers, parents and kids took part of this annual tradition by taking pictures of exquisite Japanese and Victorian art, feeding koi fish and taking a stroll along the pond’s scenic trail to look at the dynamics of prized mums in full bloom.
The exhibit of floral styles and influences from the two cultures provided an opportunity for visitors to celebrate cultural and artistic appreciation, as they tasted assorted teas and participated in paintings and crafts, both activities inspired by the beauty of the mums.
“The beauty of the flowers and garden respects the school’s potential to further its cultural awareness to younger people,” said Jerryl Villaros, who frequents the Japanese Garden.
The collaboration of horticulture and integration of Japanese and Victorian art continues the garden’s tradition in promoting its historical significance through botanical artwork embraced by the two cultures and celebrating the cultural and easthetic aspects of the flowers.
According to Schelin, the synthesis and fusion of Western aesthetics was a huge impact on the Japanese, as they cut up dresses with western influence, while the Victorians were in love with all things Japanese.
The exchange of plants and style that took place between Meiji Japan and Victorian England occurred after Japan opened its borders to the world during the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
Since then, the tradition of cultivating mums has increased interest throughout its history and culture.
As members and floral entries for the National Chrysanthemum Society grow annually, it raises the bar of excellence and standard for the mums entered, all of which are judged by the nationally juried show.
“The chrysanthemum festival has been going on for decades at CSULB, which shows there is a growing interest,” said Nadia Vanea, a junior drawing and painting major volunteering for the event.
“A lot of people don’t know it’s here and we try to make them come and visit,” said Patty Nagano, a member of the Friends Council and a coordinator for the Long Beach Unified School District,” we volunteer to try to do what we can.”
The mums bloom once a year, so they are in full bloom during the fall, according to Lucia Young, a member of the Chrysanthemum Society of Orange County, who has displayed some of her own mums in the show.
Her advice for those who seek to grow their own mums was to fertilize them weekly, and as they begin to develop, switch to bloom fertilizer [fertilizer high on phosphorous] and take care of them like any other plant by making sure it gets water and sunlight daily.
Visitors could also purchase available mums at the garden in prices ranging from seven to 17 dollars.
The exhibit will continue for years to come at the Japanese Garden in effort to continue teaching about historical cultures and appreciation of horticultural aesthetics.