The "exquisite beauty" of the Japanese chrysanthemum is being commemorated in a monthlong celebration hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley Garden in southeastern England.
Revered in Japanese culture and featured on the crest of the Imperial family, the origins of the chrysanthemum can be traced back to the sixth century, when Buddhist monks brought various species of plants from China to Japan.
Expertly cultivated flowers are being used to form the centerpiece at the garden of a wider celebration of Japanese heritage, art and culture, including a photographic exhibition and Japanese flower-arranging demonstrations.