Memories bloom as flower show makes glorious return
Print Edition
OVER 3,000 sets of flower combinations, 400 themed gardens and some 100,000 potted chrysanthemums herald the return to the show scene at Huilongtan Park after 18 years of Jiading Chrysanthemum Exhibition.
For Jiading locals, the exhibition, which lasts until the end of the month, is more than just about flowers. It’s also about memories.
Chen Wei was a gardener in Huilongtan Park when the first Jiading Chrysanthemum Exhibition was held and is now deputy director of the district’s Greenery and Gardening Administration.
“A chrysanthemum show was held in Qiuxia Garden in 1987 and was a great success,” Chen said. “Thus, the first Jiading Chrysanthemum Exhibition was held in Huilongtan Park in October, 1988.”
Chen was a gardener for the 1988 show. “The original ‘Wall of Nine Dragons’ was located close to the north lawn in the park,” she said. “It seemed to be wider than the current combination.” The flower show was held for 10 consecutive years but stopped in 1997.
Most varieties of flowers displayed in 1988 were grown by local institutions and the park but some varieties are rarely seen today.
The 18 years seem to have flashed by and touring around the show is like time traveling for many local residents.
The “Wall of Nine Dragons” flower arrangement left a deep impression on many residents decades ago so gardeners have tried to replicate it by referring to old photos.
“The display was designed to symbolize the dragon in Chinese culture,” Chen explained. “The dragon is a symbol of power, elegance and glory. The work meant that Jiading was on the way to prosperity and success while people lived a happy life,” Chen recalled.
The 2015 replica is still an astonishing sight, featuring all kinds of small chrysanthemums in an installation that is 12 meters wide and 3.5 meters high.
A golden waterfall also made of chrysanthemums is featured at the intersection of Bole Road S. and Jiajian Highway. The eye-catching flower wall is 80 meters wide and 3 meters high.
“This is the first time we’ve tried such a design,” Chen said.
Gardeners started a year ago to grow the varieties of chrysanthemums needed for the “wall.” In order to extend the blossom period and achieve the desired effect, they put light-weight nutritious soil in the frame and planted flowers a week before the start of the exhibition.
There are 10 photos of Chen and her son displayed at her home. They were taken when they visited the chrysanthemum exhibition every year from 1988 to 1997.
“The first one was shot in 1988. I was alone in the photo but I was pregnant,” Chen said.
This year’s Chrysanthemum Exhibition was launched on October 28. More than 2,000 people visited in the first two hours.
“I will go with my son this year for sure,” Chen said. “It feels so special for both of us. I hope the exhibition will continue every year, grow more varieties of chrysanthemums and save those in danger of extinction,” she added.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
