the first question i don't understand clearly. does u mean like that :濯清涟而不妖，装饰繁杂而不华丽...in this situation 而 means "but",used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before. 不just as a adv modify adj the following word,means "no" this traslation are got from a writer: There are so may flower and shrubs that people could love and enjoy . In the past , Tao Yuan – Ming singled out the chrysanthemum as his love . Since the Tang Dynasty , the peony has been everybody’s favorite . But the best flower for me is the lotus . How spotless it rises from its muddy floor ! How simple it stands on the clean pool ! it is straight through inside and outside with no intention to branch or spread out . Its figure is so elegant and so clean while its subtle smell goes for and wide . Besides , this flower can only be enjoyed from a distance and is not to be profaned by touching .

Strictly speaking, I think this is not a poem. Actually, it's a prose composed of ancient Chinese. About the questions, I think you have got great answers.

Well, it's so hard, I always thought that poems can't be translated anyway, even they are tranlated, the rythm and the emotion are lost mostly. hehe, it's just my point.