Nature fans get green fix at Hong Kong flower show
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Visitors take pictures at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A family takes pictures at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A visitor gestures in front of a bee made of flowers at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A man walks past a display of bonsai trees at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A visitor stands next to a bee made of flowers at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
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School children draw flowers at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
Visitors take pictures at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
A family takes pictures at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
A visitor gestures in front of a bee made of flowers at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
A man walks past a display of bonsai trees at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
A visitor stands next to a bee made of flowers at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
School children draw flowers at the flower show in Hong Kong on March 15, 2013. Organisers expect around 500,000 visitors over the annual 10-day event, which started in 1968 and includes pristine show gardens from competing local districts, lavish international flower displays and more than a dash of kitsch. -- PHOTO: AFP
HONG KONG (AFP) - It's notorious for its cramped living conditions, traffic-clogged streets and polluted air, but once a year Hong Kong celebrates all things green at the city's flower show.
Though most residents have no outdoor space for gardening, thousands flock to the annual 10-day event, which started on Friday and covers six football pitches in the central Victoria Park.
In contrast to the surrounding apartment and office blocks, the park has been overtaken by cascades of orchids - the show's theme flower - along with tulips and kitsch floral sculptures, from giant ants to pandas and toadstools.
Some visitors come just to photograph the lavish displays, but many are picking up plants and gardening equipment. The park is lined with stalls selling seeds, pot plants, compost and garden tools.
