Plant World

Spectacular display of Chinese Wisteria flowers in full bloom, cascading down from a wooden garden trellis against a clear sky.

Chinese Wisteria: History, Symbolism, and Identification

As spring reaches its crescendo, few sights in the botanical world are as breathtaking as the Chinese Wisteria. With its cascading amethyst falls and woody, twisting vines, it has transformed from an ancient Chinese symbol of longevity into one of the most beloved ornamental plants in gardens from London to New Delhi and New York. […]

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Ginkgo: An Autumn Hymn of the World’s Oldest Living Fossil

As November arrives, many regions across China enter the best season to admire ginkgo trees. Last weekend, I made a special trip to Qingshan Temple in Wuxi to enjoy the ginkgo. Qingshan Temple, with a history of over 1,400 years, was first built during the Liang Dynasty (535–545 AD). Known as one of the “480

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