Plants of Lan Su
The plant collection at Lan Su presents hundreds of species that are native to China. It is home to more than fifty specimen trees, many rare and unusual shrubs and perennials, and curated collections of several significant species.
Now In Bloom
Orchid (國蘭)
A national flower of China, a part of Lan Su’s Chinese transliteration, and one of the oldest orchid species in human cultivation—you’ll find it all in our garden! Want more insight into how to identify and grow various orchid species that live in our collection? Read our Curator of Horticulture’s latest Hort Tidbit!
Plant Guides
Download information about seasonal blooms, special plant types, and more.
Master Species List
View a full list of all Lan Su varieties throughout the year, including their Chinese names.
Spring Plant Guide
Spring brings a rainbow of blooms, from bright red camellias to graceful purple wisteria.
Summer Plant Guide
Summer brings some of our most iconic blooms, water lilies and lotus. But there are many more!
Fall Plant Guide
Autumn is one of the garden’s most eye-catching times, with reds and golds bursting within.
Winter Plant Guide
Learn about some of our hardy plants that are at their best during the colder winter months.
Penjing Guide
Discover the Chinese art of miniature landscaping, penjing. And no, it’s not just bonsai!
Medicinal Plant Guide
Learn about some of our species commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Meet Our Finned Friends!
We have 30+ koi and countless goldfish living in Lake Zither. Learn about their cultural significance, care requirements, and more in our Fish Guide!
Horticulture Programs
Events
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Magnolia Floral Showcase
Featured Magnolia Floral ShowcaseLan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OregonMagnolia FestivalEnjoy large-scale magnolia installations throughout the garden, along with interpretive displays featuring educational posters, huayi floral pieces, and a magnolia penjing.
Free -
Magnolia Floral Showcase
Featured Magnolia Floral ShowcaseLan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OregonMagnolia FestivalEnjoy large-scale magnolia installations throughout the garden, along with interpretive displays featuring educational posters, huayi floral pieces, and a magnolia penjing.
Free -
Floral Artist Meet & Greet / Demo
Lan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OregonMagnolia FestivalWatch floral artistry in action and learn from our partnering artist, Lauren Say.
Free
Related Posts
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Hort Tidbit March 2026: The Elegant Orchid 國蘭, Lan Su’s Namesake
Learn about the orchid, Lan Su’s namesake plant. How can you spot a Chinese orchid, and what kind of conditions do they grow best in?…
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Hort Tidbit January 2026: The Floral Symbol of the First Lunar Month—Narcissus (水仙）
Elegant and pure, the narcissus is subtle but eye-catching Narcissus tazetta subsp. tazetta (crab-claw narcissus) forced in January The power of a forced bulb indoors! Although we, living in…
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Culture Spotlight: Luòshén (洛神)—Flower Immortal of the Hibiscus
Learn the legendary tragic romance behind how Lady Zhen (甄宓) became Luòshén (洛神), Goddess of the Luo River and Flower Immortal of the Hibiscus.
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Hort Tidbit: August, the Month of Hibiscus
Hibiscus is an emblematic symbol of late summer and early fall to China. Learn about our local collection here at Lan Su—and the ones we…
Meet our Horticulture Team
Josie Losh
Curator of Horticulture
Josie is an acclaimed horticulturalist who has worked in both wholesale and retail plant nurseries. She received her M.S. in Botany from Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China. After obtaining her degree, she worked for China’s largest horticultural corporation playing a key role in their international affairs. Josie has visited at least five of Suzhou’s scholar gardens to connect with her peers in Lan Su’s sister city.
Patrick Person
Head Gardener
Patrick brings garden and landscaping experience from several well-known local companies, including Cornell Farm, Al’s Garden & Home, and Drake’s 7 Dees.
Got plant & garden questions?
Our Hort team can help!
Are you trying to care for one of the plant varieties at Lan Su in your own backyard? Or have a special plant you’d like to donate to our collection? Contact Lan Su’s Horticulture Department at 503-228-8131 #3506 or send us an email.