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Article featured in Beijing This Month, October 2002
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Sweet Osmanthus Exhibition at Summer Palace

2002/10/01

The Sweet Osmanthus Exhibition currently at the Summer Palace showcases the largest and finest imperial garden in all of China. Visitors can enjoy the unique fruity floral aroma of the flower and relish the rich hibiscus culture of the country.

The Summer Palace has been enhanced by delightfully attractive decorations, including more than 2,000 potted Sweet Osmanthus. More than 30,000 foil protected plants and more than 130 potted autumnal landscapes are also on display. The exhibition is the largest flower and plant affair ever held in the garden.

Visitors will find eight exhibition areas including the Autumn Charm of the Summer Palace, and the Ancient Osmanthus. Since January, master flower arrangers for the exhibition have ventured to southern China to select the finest variety of the flower.

For Chinese, the Sweet Osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) is confirmation of a glorious autumn, the time of year it comes into bloom. Osmanthuses are also associated with the moon because, according to Chinese legend, this is where a hare once prepared an elixir of life under the shadow of Sweet Osmanthus leaves. The white flowers give off a subtle, long-lasting scent similar to that of jasmine, and are used frequently in tea, wine, perfume and even medicine.



 
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