Poems, flowering plants, and trees

明朝年榍淳繪絏卉疗文卷紙本痓綎
Chen Chun composed a poem for each plant branch he depicted in this handscroll, providing the viewer with examples of the three arts of painting, poetry, and calligraphy. In his poetry, Chen expresses his sentiments about each plant and explains the significance of the flowers. Excerpts and brief explanations of his poetry accompany each of of the eleven specimens shown from right to left. We have provided a brief translation of Chen's poems.
1. Osmanthus 桂絏 this flower is associated with the moon; in the fall it turns to gold flecks covering the earth with extreme fragrance. Chun recommends seeking them with poetry and wine.
2. The charm of red berries (nandina) 天竺 brought forth by dew, its beauty enhanced by the wind.
3. The gold buds of the yellow hibiscus 秋箋 receptacle, their yellow petals embrace dark purple pistils.
4. Hibiscus 木絧笷 one goes boating on blue water in the fall. When going to one collecting the flowers from a row boat, blossoms look like layers of brocade before one's eyes.
5. The stems of the prunus (plum) 梅絏 horizontally by the clear water; their mysterious fragrance drifts in the air under the twilight moon.
6. The camellia 糊絏 the appearance of the thick skin of the rhinoceros; the flowers are like the red crown of a crane.
7. Bamboo 竹 the ice and snow. It awakens a soul from a dream deep in the night.
8. Narcissus 水仙 and is light as gauze.
9. Short-needle pines 松 looking branches at dusk, and later wither after the cold season has ended.
10. Red berries (nandina) 天竺 green leaves are softened by wind; their red essence glows bright against snow.
11. Old pines 翿松 meters in the cold, their bodies look green all over with scales; their white brambles were already seen against the sky, yet surprisingly, the pines seem to yield energy as if struck by thunder.
Artist 's biography
Chen Chun was a native of present-day Suzhou and was known for his skill in poetry, seal carving, calligraphy, and painting. Chen's teacher, Wen Zhengming (1470– 1559), remarked that Chen Chun established "his own approach" that distinguished him from Wen's other followers.