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Tsuen Wan District's Oriental-style garden "Bali, the Island of Flowers" and Central and Western District's Western-style garden "Floral Delights" have outshone their competitors in winning the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s Oriental Style Garden Plot Competition and Western Style Garden Plot Competition respectively at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2012. All entries in the Garden Plot Competitions are designed by the staff of the LCSD's District Leisure Services Offices.
The Oriental-style garden "Bali, the Island of Flowers" designed by Tsuen Wan District features Bali as the theme. Apart from its natural beauty, Bali has gained a reputation as the "Island of Flowers" as the Balinese are flower lovers who use flowers to decorate their homes and gardens. The design of the garden's left gate is based on the traditional "candi bentar" (split gate). At the centre is a stone wall with flowing water symbolising the abundance of rainwater while the garden terrace made of short bamboo resembles the rice terraces in Bali. In addition, blooms of vibrant colours turn the garden into a world of robust growth that invites visitors to enter and enjoy it.
The Western-style garden "Floral Delights" by Central and Western District depicts the history of the cultivation of the hyacinth. The garden is composed of a small patch of sand, some green shrubs, carpet plants, short trees and a windmill. Together with the sound of water gurgling in the mini pond, it exudes a sense of quietness and refreshing comfort. Featured in the foreground is the stunning view of a sea of hyacinths in full bloom with clusters of blue, white, pink and red flowers and their delicate fragrance.
Featuring more than 350,000 flowers on display, and with the hyacinth as the theme flower and "Floral Delights" as the main theme, the Hong Kong Flower Show 2012 runs until March 25.
The Flower Show also features special plant exhibits. Aquilaria sinensis, also known by its common name "incense tree", has been designated by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as a Class II wild plant under state protection to conserve the species. Synsepalum dulcificum, commonly referred to as "miracle fruit", has a sour pulp which, when eaten, causes acidic fruits to taste sweet. This "miraculous" effect lasts for about half an hour.
The LCSD is also presenting a spectacular exhibit made up of over 16,000 pots of flowers in the display "Colourful World". A traditional Chinese-style wooden junk symbolising Hong Kong moves around a globe representing planet Earth. Under the globe, a water feature with a silhouette of the city's impressive skyline makes visitors feel like they are looking at Victoria Harbour. Other main attractions include a colourful floral wall depicting a junk to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a spectacular sea of flowers made up of more than 15,000 tulips, a mosaiculture display entitled "Tropical Delights" showcasing tropical fruits, a fun display on the park's main lawn featuring flowering plants and agricultural produce in the shape of a windmill, and a wish-making corner in the shape of a Hakka "tulou".
Displays from the Mainland are equally spectacular, including "Vitality Abounds in Spring" by Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks and "The Way to Go, in the Year of the Dragon" by Shenzhen Urban Management Bureau.
A rich diversity of educational and recreational fringe activities has also been 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 at the entrance to the Victoria Park showground. Octopus cards can be used to pay for admission. Tickets are also available at the LCSD's District Leisure Services Offices and leisure venues with Leisure Link services.
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 at www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2012/en/index.php .
Ends/Thursday, March 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:55
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