With its vibrant colours, exquisite fragrance and charming flowers, the globally popular rose will be showcased as the theme flower at the upcoming Hong Kong Flower Show, bringing its splendidly varied colours to the event.
 
     This year's flower show is one of the events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It will be held in Victoria Park for 10 days from March 10 to 19 from 9am to 9pm daily (opening hours on March 11, 17 and 18 will be extended to 10pm), featuring "Blossoms of Love" as the main theme.
 
     About 40 000 roses will be on display at the showground. The rose is a perennial deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub of the genus Rosa in the family Rosaceae. Under the common horticultural classification system there are three main types of rose, namely species roses, old garden roses and modern roses. There are around 150 varieties of species rose, while there are tens of thousands of varieties of old garden rose and modern rose.
 
     The rose is suitable for a wide range of horticultural applications. When cultivated as single plants, roses serve as a specimen plant in flower beds. Shrub roses can be grown as hedgerows. Climber roses can be trained over structures such as walls, rattan trellises and pavilions for landscape gardening. Miniature roses are an ideal choice for decorating rock features in gardens or making potted flowers. In addition, the flowers of most roses can be used as cut flowers, whether for bouquets and other uses.
 
     Roses are found in daily products too. The flowers, for example, can be used for extracting essential oil to make cosmetics, perfumes, other aromatic products and more. The petals, an ingredient of wine and syrups, are also suitable for brewing as tea when dried. Rose hips are used for making vitamin-rich jams. When used as herbal medicine, the budding flowers and roots can regulate the flow of vital energy and promote blood circulation.
 
     In addition to this year's theme flower and other flowering plants, the event will showcase a rich profusion of exquisite potted plants, beautiful floral arrangements and gorgeous landscape displays by local, Mainland and overseas organisations. There will also be commercial stalls selling flowers, horticultural products and fast food. A rich diversity of educational and recreational fringe activities will also be organised for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages.
 
     Admission tickets for the flower show are available for sale until March 17 at the District Leisure Services Offices of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Tickets will also be sold at the entrances to the Victoria Park showground throughout the show period. Octopus can also be used to pay for admission.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit the LCSD webpage www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/hkfs/2017/index.html.
 
     The flower show is organised by the LCSD. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the fifth consecutive year, and has been the Major Sponsor of the flower show since 2014.

Ends/Friday, March 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:30

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