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Thousands of hyacinths to decorate Victoria Park from March 16 (with photos)
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     More than 350 000 flowering plants will transform Victoria Park into a colourful floral wonderland at this year's Hong Kong Flower Show, which begins on March 16.

     The annual event, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will be held at Victoria Park for 10 days from March 16 to 25, and from 9am to 9pm daily. This year's flower show features the hyacinth as its theme flower and "Floral Delights" as its main theme.

     The event has attracted over 200 organisations from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas to take part in showcasing exquisite potted plants, beautiful floral arrangements and gorgeous landscape displays. There will also be commercial stalls selling flowers, horticultural products, fast food and other items.

     More than 30 000 pots of hyacinths representing some 20 cultivars will be on display at the showground.

     The hyacinth is a perennial herbaceous monocotyledon of the genus Hyacinthus in the family Hyacinthaceae.  Native to the eastern Mediterranean from northwestern Syria and Lebanon to southern Turkey, the hyacinth is now widely grown all over the world and extensively cultivated in the Netherlands.

     The hyacinth has numerous cultivars, with single or double-petalled flowers of various sizes, colours and varieties. The densely packed florets, in shades of red, yellow, white, blue and purple, normally bloom from March to April.

     Hyacinths are especially suitable for growing indoors, where their colourful flowers will brighten the house and fill it with a delightful fragrance.  Hyacinths can be grown as potted plants, cultivated in water or used as ornamental cut flowers.  Small and regular in size and outline, the hyacinth is an excellent choice of bulbous flowering plant for flower beds in spring.

     A rich diversity of educational and recreational fringe activities will also be organised for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages, including music and cultural performances, floral art and cooking demonstrations, plant maintenance workshops, green stalls, guided visits, recreational programmes and fun games.

     Admission tickets to the Hong Kong Flower Show 2012 are available from now until March 25 at the LCSD's District Leisure Services Offices and leisure venues with Leisure Link services. Tickets will also be sold at the entrance to the Victoria Park showground throughout the show period. Octopus cards can be used to pay for admission.

     Admission fees for the flower show are as follows:

* Normal rate: $14
* Children, students and senior citizens aged 60 or above: $7
* Persons with disabilities and minders (each person can enjoy the concessionary rate with one minder only): $7

     Concessionary rates from Monday to Friday:

* Free admission for senior citizens aged 60 or above.
* Free admission for persons with disabilities and minders (each person can enjoy the concessionary rate with one minder only).
* Adults in a group of 30 persons or above will be admitted at half rate.

     For enquiries, please call 2601 8260, fax 2691 7264 or visit the LCSD webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2012/en/index.php.

Ends/Friday, March 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:01

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