The 2026 Hong Kong Flower Show is in full swing at Victoria Park from March 20 to 29. With the violet as its theme flower, this year’s event—titled “Scented Stories: A Flavor of the City”—has drawn more than 200 exhibitors from around the world, establishing itself as one of the city’s premier horticultural celebrations. Taking top honors, “Hangzhou Academy,” an exhibit created by the city’s Administration of Gardens and Cultural Heritage and the West Lake Administration, and brought to life by the Phoenix Hill Management Office, won the Gold Award for Best Environmental Concept. Through the medium of landscape design, the installation showcases the distinctive charm and green innovation of Hangzhou’s garden tradition, while building a cultural bridge between Hangzhou and Hong Kong.

Inspired by Wansong Academy, the entry distills the timeless romance of “Liang & Zhu”—the Chinese legend often compared to “Romeo and Juliet”—and the region’s thousand-year devotion to scholarship into a compact, elegant garden space. Visitors are greeted by a grand stone archway inscribed with “Hangzhou Academy.” Nearby, silhouettes depict a traditional student apprenticeship scene. A winding path of stepping stones leads through a bamboo grove, past flowering shrubs, to a half-open study pavilion tucked among the greenery. Inside, desks and chairs are arranged in scholarly order; outside, a small tea garden completes the scene. The design seamlessly blends literary refinement with the rhythms of nature. Bamboo plays a central role, both structurally and symbolically. The archway and study pavilion are built with natural bamboo—a nod to classical Jiangnan aesthetics and a symbol of integrity. Featured species include the prized “golden-threaded” bamboo and stiff bamboo. The exhibit also weaves environmental responsibility into its core. Pathways are paved with inorganic eco-stone made from urban construction waste, using a state-patented process that turns discarded material into durable, low-carbon paving. This approach reflects a deep commitment to circular economy principles while staying true to the spirit of classical garden design. Local Hangzhou plants—such as Longjing tea bushes and the fragrant osmanthus—add a layer of regional identity, bringing the elegance of the West Lake and the city charm of Hangzhou to Hong Kong.

The award is both an endorsement of Hangzhou’s artistry in garden design and its ecological vision, and a meaningful example of cross-cultural dialogue between the two cities. As a city adorned with UNESCO World Heritage sites, Hangzhou has long used its gardens as a medium to preserve and share Chinese cultural traditions and Eastern aesthetics. Looking ahead, the city plans to continue weaving together cultural heritage and green development, inviting more people to experience the beauty of Jiangnan gardens and the richness of Chinese culture.