Hao Hong grows towering chrysanthemum in Beijing
- Beijing resident Hao Hong has drawn attention this autumn for cultivating a towering chrysanthemum, marking a high point in a hobby she began four years ago.
- The interest shown by growers like Hao reflects a long-standing cultural attachment to the chrysanthemum in China.
- In modern Beijing, the chrysanthemum holds official status as a city flower, sharing the title with the Chinese rose.
Beijing resident Hao Hong has drawn attention this autumn for cultivating a towering chrysanthemum, marking a high point in a hobby she began four years ago. The 66-year-old grower started the practice with her husband, eventually turning the pastime into a dedicated pursuit that involves months of painstaking work and community engagement with other local growers.
Cultural Significance of the Chrysanthemum
The interest shown by growers like Hao reflects a long-standing cultural attachment to the chrysanthemum in China. More than 1,600 years ago, the poet Tao Yuanming famously wrote about picking the flowers by an eastern fence, establishing the plant as a symbol of a peaceful life free from worldly ambition. In the context of traditional Chinese art, the chrysanthemum is classified as one of the “Four Gentlemen,” a group that also includes the plum blossom, the orchid, and the bamboo. These plants are historically admired for embodying qualities of integrity and resilience.
Botanical Traditions in Beihai Park
In modern Beijing, the chrysanthemum holds official status as a city flower, sharing the title with the Chinese rose. For professionals like Liu Ning, who has spent 21 years cultivating the flowers at Beihai Park—a former imperial garden in central Beijing—the value of the chrysanthemum extends beyond its physical appearance to the poetic imagery it represents. Liu noted that specific varieties, such as the pink-petaled Taiye Chihe, are named for local landmarks like Taiye Lake, recalling Beihai’s Taiye Lake and inviting viewers to imagine a lotus rising from its waters.
Liu highlighted the intricate details of the Taiye Chihe, specifically pointing to the tiny golden-yellow hooks found at the tips of its petals as a feature of particular interest. These cultivation efforts continue to serve as both a horticultural practice and a connection to centuries of Chinese literary and artistic tradition.