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.
Lotus Tracker
Watch our rare collection of beautiful lotus flowers grow from Lake Zither this summer through fall. Don’t miss the only place in the entire Pacific Northwest to visit these iconic blooms!
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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Lian (蓮): The Lotus Festival
Lan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR, United StatesJuly 3 – August 22, 2026 Celebrate the beauty and versatility of lotus at Lan Su Chinese Garden during Lian (蓮): The Lotus Festival this summer. Enjoy garden walks, an art and plant showcase, hands-on activities, and more as we honor this iconic flower. Lotus Festival Experiences Everyone Will Love It The Lotus Market July […]
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Lotus Talk Series: Cultivation
Lan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR, United StatesJoin a Lan Su gardener to learn how to grow resplendent lotus in the Pacific Northwest. Although our region lacks the humid summers of subtropical China, magnificent lotus can still thrive in existing ponds or ceramic pots with the right care. This talk will share must-know tips and practical advice from seasoned lotus growers.
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#PlantWednesday Spotlight
Lan Su Chinese Garden 239 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR, United StatesJoin our horticulture team every Wednesday for a tour diving into a plant in its peak, gardening tips, and more.
Free with admission or membership
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.
Sara F.
Gardener
Ben D.
Gardener
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.