Despite the emergence of many new flower species, the chrysanthemum remains a cherished flower from ancient times to the present.
A Rare Flower with a Unique Season, Hard to Find Online
Approximately one month before the Lunar New Year, if you stroll through the traditional flower markets in Hanoi, you won’t be surprised to encounter bundles and pots of golden chrysanthemums. However, the flower that most women are in search of is a type of chrysanthemum with tiny blossoms, commonly known as royal chrysanthemum, golden chrysanthemum, or medicinal chrysanthemum.
This type is often described by women as “one must be very lucky to buy it.” The main reason is that chrysanthemum has only one harvest each year. The flowers are usually planted in May or June and begin to bloom at the end of November, reaching their peak beauty in December and January.
Chrysanthemum differs from other types of chrysanthemums with its petite appearance, from the blossoms to the stems. The petals are layered to form a spherical shape, with flowers as small as a coat button.
Chrysanthemum in Hung Yen primarily cultivated for medicinal use. (Photo: Thùy Diễm).
Chrysanthemum boasts a bright, vibrant yellow color that catches the eye whenever someone notices it. However, because the petals are quite delicate compared to other types of chrysanthemums, transportation can be challenging. Typically, these flowers are harvested from specialized fields in Hung Yen before being distributed elsewhere, leading many street vendors to be apprehensive about keeping the flowers intact.
“In fact, chrysanthemum is not a new flower. This year, while trends chase after rare and hybrid flowers, along with double petals, which are cheaper and more durable, for me, having chrysanthemum at home is a must to clearly feel the Tet atmosphere. I have been married for 18 years, and every year either I or my mother-in-law must hunt down chrysanthemum. In previous years, we could get a vase each week, but this year, we only managed to buy one bundle for the entire season.” said Ms. Lan Anh (Ba Dinh, Hanoi).
Not Just for Vases, Some Create Entire Fairy-Tale Gardens with Chrysanthemum for Tet
Despite their delicate petals, once brought home for decoration, chrysanthemums are quite durable, lasting 7-10 days if water is changed daily. This type of flower is not picky about how it is arranged, as it requires only a few simple steps like stripping leaves, trimming the stems slightly, and choosing a simple monochromatic ceramic vase. The rustic beauty of chrysanthemums means that the simpler the vase, the better. On social media during this season, instead of showcasing daisies as before, women are excitedly sharing their vibrant yellow chrysanthemum arrangements in flower-loving communities.
After successfully purchasing chrysanthemums, Ms. Thúy Toàn proudly shows off her arrangement.
Ms. Thúy Toàn (Quang Ninh) is also very fond of this long-standing flower. However, she noted that it is often not easy to find in her area, and even if she asks a familiar florist in advance, it may not be available. Therefore, whenever she successfully purchases them, she immediately arranges them in a vase, cares for them, and captures the moments right away.
Meanwhile, Ms. Thúy Trần (Hanoi) has gathered the most beautiful chrysanthemum bundles to cover her porch. According to her, to complete “this fairy-tale garden,” she invested in 100 stalks of chrysanthemum (each stalk consists of about 3 bundles) and spent about 4 hours arranging them.
The chrysanthemum garden created by Ms. Thúy Trần herself.
After some time, when she switches to another type of flower, she will replant them in pots in the garden for longer enjoyment.
Beyond Decoration, Chrysanthemum is Also Used to Make Tea
Chrysanthemum flowers, especially medicinal chrysanthemums, have long been regarded as one of the precious herbs, serving as a remedy in traditional Chinese medicine. Drinking chrysanthemum tea helps soothe the mind, relieve stress, enhance skin health, and detoxify the body.
Ms. Kim Huệ (Hanoi) shared: “I have a small chrysanthemum plant on my balcony, watered regularly. Watching it grow day by day, the small golden spots blooming in the air are very beautiful. From a single stem, it has sprouted many branches, each thick with flowers. I often cut some for arrangements and harvest flowers to make tea, which is very good for health. It’s the perfect two-in-one benefit.”
Drinking chrysanthemum tea helps soothe the mind, relieve stress, enhance skin health, and detoxify the body.
According to research, the price of dried chrysanthemum on the market ranges from 500,000 to 800,000 VND per kilogram. Meanwhile, if women buy chrysanthemum stalks, the price ranges from 100,000 to 180,000 VND per stalk (about 3 bundles of chrysanthemums). In fact, many families even purchase whole chrysanthemum plants for decorative pots priced between 300,000 and 700,000 VND per pot.
