Flowers of the Orient

Flowers bloom furiously throughout the orient. China alone has more than 31,000 species of native plants and many, such as regal lilies, rhododendrons and impatiens, are familiar to gardeners who now grow them all over the world. Some of the most highly prized flowers of the orient cross borders and cultures and have played a role in daily life for centuries.

The Peony
China does not have a national flower, the peony may hold the unofficial title. The perennial plants and shrubs bloom in the spring and early summer, and the flowers are large, colorful and fragrant. The city of Luoyang holds an annual 10-day festival to celebrate the flowers that range in color from creamy white and soft pink to lavender and scarlet. Ancient Chinese healers used the seeds, root and bark to treat nervous tension. Artists showcased the flowers in prints, tapestries and imperial designs. Peonies arrived in Japan sometime in the eighth century, and have been cultivated in that country with equal enthusiasm.

The Lotus Flower
Cultures throughout the orient value the lotus for its beauty and symbolism. Like the water lily, the lotus roots in the the mud of a pond but its large, colorful flowers float on the surface. The flower represents purity, spirituality and achieved enlightenment in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Traditional medicine uses the leaves and seeds to treat common ailments such as fever and nausea. The lotus flower has the ability to regulate its own temperature and can retain heat despite its surrounding environment. Scientists believe the flower's ability to generate its own heat is tied to the need to attract insects for pollination.

Hibiscus
Known as the rose of Sharon, the hibiscus is the national flower of Korea and has a long history of cultivation in India and China. Although the Korean name for the flower, mugunghwa, means immortality, the large pink, lavender and bright red blossoms fade and die within a day. However, the plant does produce a large number of buds and blooms throughout the summer. People have traditionally eaten the leaves cooked or raw as an ingredient in salads and used the plant as a treatment for rashes and stomach ailments.

Cherry Blossoms
In March, Japanese news agencies begin broadcasting regular updates on the annual flowering of the country's cherry trees. Although cherry trees are native to much of Asia, they are prized most highly in Japan, where people hold parties and picnics to celebrate the small, sweet smelling flowers. Cherry blossoms bloom and fade within a two- to three-week period and the flowers have long been seen as a reminder of the transience of life.The flowers are often linked with Samurai culture because of the glorious but often brief lives of the famous warriors.

The Rumdul
The rumdul, a yellowish-white flower that resembles a bell surrounded by three large petals, is the national flower of Cambodia.The attractive plant grows up to 36 feet, and is valued for the flowers' fragrance which drifts for considerable distances. The flower has a history as an ingredient in lip gloss and as a object of beauty associated with femininity.