How some cats stole a flower show
What do I do in the fall while working for others? A lot of "fall cleanups" which mean cutting down decaying stalks and foliage, raking leaves out of gardens and discarding annuals from containers and beds. One "annual" I've been dumping out is the type of chrysanthemum you might had seen and even bought back in September.
These mounded flower balls (my phrase) are meant to bridge the gap between summer and Christmas container greenery. They were great looking for about 2 months but as the flowers fade, my clients look at these brown globes of sadness and direct me to "chuck them out." I do so without regrets because these mums are commodities, having the same flower shape and overall form. You can pick them up cheaply at garden centers, hardware stores, grocery stores, etc. Just pick the flower colour: orange, red, white, yellow, umm, that's about it and plunk them into your urns or gardens for that "quick hit of fall colour" (someone else's phrase.)
Truly disposable plants...
These mounded flower balls (my phrase) are meant to bridge the gap between summer and Christmas container greenery. They were great looking for about 2 months but as the flowers fade, my clients look at these brown globes of sadness and direct me to "chuck them out." I do so without regrets because these mums are commodities, having the same flower shape and overall form. You can pick them up cheaply at garden centers, hardware stores, grocery stores, etc. Just pick the flower colour: orange, red, white, yellow, umm, that's about it and plunk them into your urns or gardens for that "quick hit of fall colour" (someone else's phrase.)
Truly disposable plants...
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| From one container.... |
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| To another |
On the other end of the horticultural spectrum, a nearby public Conservatory operated by the City of Toronto puts on a dazzling display of all things Chrysanthemum every October into November. The Allan Gardens Conservatory Fall Chrysanthemum Show (I just call it the "Fall Mum Show") offers locals and tourists nice photo opportunities and/or a brief respite from the gloomy November weather. These Chrysanthemums are bred, I think, just for indoor shows and exhibitions and very likely not hardy outside over a zone 5 winter. This makes some sense as the desirable traits for hybridizers of big and/or unusual flowers probably come at the expense of cold hardiness and flower scent. But the flowers are sure pretty so let's take a look at them before I bore you even more.
(Warning: this is a very long post with a ton of pictures. I could/should have broken this into two posts but due to sheer laziness on my part, you'll experience the full maxi-"mum" (ahem) experience. Also, the reference to cute kittens or cats will make sense later. As if you haven't seen enough of these type of pictures in your social media circles, I promise my felines are very cute!)
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| Yellow incurve mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
As you enter the Conservatory through the main doors, you're under a tall glass dome surrounded by permanent "tropical" plantings like palms, bananas and philodendrons. There's a small "patio" for lack of a better word around which the seasonal Show plantings are on display. The colour scheme this year has yellow and orange dominating. If mums can ever be considered hot and vibrant, these are great examples.
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| Yellow single mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Yellow thistle mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Yellow spider mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Yellow incurve mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Purple and yellow single mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Pale yellow incurve mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Orange anemone mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Maneki-neko Beckoning cat at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
Chrysanthemum flowers make a wonderful tea which I enjoy over dim sum (for my kids, not so much).
Seeing this Maneki-neko ("Beckoning cat" in Japanese) above brought a smile and didn't seem out of place. He is asking you to come into a place of business and spend a lot of money so many Asian store owners have these figures near their entrances or cash registers. The Conservatory is operated by the City through our tax dollars. I suppose having a few of these cats near the front doors down at City Hall may be in poor taste, especially for those paying our taxes in person!
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| Layers of mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Chrysanthemum tree display detail at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
A big bonsai? The "tree" branches and trunk are made out of steel strands while the "flowers" sit in cages. A nod to cloud pruning?
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| Chrysanthemum tree display at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
Another beckoning or "lucky" cat. She's a small bank. You might be able to make out the coin slot on the top of her head. Sadly, the plug that would be holding in your success is missing with this neko (Japanese for "cat"). She may be penniless but oh so cute!
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| Beckoning cat (Maneki-neko) at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Fall Chrysanthemum Show wrought iron bench display |
I had to wonder a little about this lady's headgear below. Such conical hats are worn by farmers and others working outside in south Asia so why would one with enough wealth and ostentation to adorn herself with live flowers be caught dead outside toiling under the sun?
Ok, ok, it's just a flower show, so moving on...
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show floral mannequin |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show layers of mums |
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| 2015 Allan Gardens Conservatory Chrysanthemum Show floral mannequin |
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| Layers of mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show wrought iron bench |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show wrought iron bench display |
The other area showing the Mum Show, on the other hand, had decided different look and feel. The flowers on display here were cool whites, pinks, purples. It was a very peaceful, serene, and ethereal setting. (Even the lone staff member ignored me during these moments of deep contemplation as I took these pictures, bless her!)
It was akin to waking up to fresh snow in the garden one winter morning. I was also reminded of funerals. Did you know white chrysanthemums are often used in Asian funerals? I wouldn't mind one bit if my visitation and funeral had loads of mums in these hues and shades. There's nothing morbid in this at all: just the practical application of floriculture!
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show purple decorative mum |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show white decorative mum |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show white decorative mums |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show mum standards |
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show Leda and the Swan fountain |
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| White pompon mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| White single mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Purple incurve mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Purple reflex mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| White spoon mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Purple and white single mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| White incurve mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Pink anemone mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Pink single mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| "Saba" single mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Drift of pastel mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Pale purple reflex mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Mum standards at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Layers of pastel mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
"Peek-a-boo!" says Hello Kitty, if Hello Kitty had a mouth. Which she doesn't but you can easily imagine her saying this so just go with me here.
Beats having to look at a gawd-awful gnome or fairy any time of the day or night!
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| Hello Kitty hiding among the mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Chrysanthemum butterfly display at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
I don't know about you but I see an alligator with sunglasses and a struggling Mohawk haircut in this picture:
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| Chrysanthemum butterfly display at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Drift of purple mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| White spider mum at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Pastel pink mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
Cuteness factor reaching 9000! I love fishing so being reincarnated as Hello Kitty fishing with my angling little buddy is very appealing, at least for a day.
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| Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show: Hello Kitty and friend fishing |
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| White spider and purple incurve mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| White and pink single mums at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
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| Pastel mums with Leda at the Allan Gardens Conservatory 2015 Chrysanthemum Show |
I've posted about the Fall Mum Show in the past so if you really still need to see more mums, you can fill your floral boots here:
Mum's the Word: Allan Gardens Conservatory Chrysanthemum Show 2013
I swear on me (fall) mum, it's a fantastic show! The Allan Gardens Conservatory 2014 Fall Chrysanthemum Show
