Plants to See
Plants in Lan Su Chinese Garden
China is home to more than 30,000 plant species—one-eighth of the world’s total. At Lan Su Chinese Garden, visitors can enjoy hundreds of these plants, many of which have a rich symbolic and cultural history in China. This page offers a selected look at some of Lan Su’s current favorites.
You can also download our current plant guide to take with you on your next visit to Lan Su. Download the most current version of the Plant Guide PDF, 249 KB
Current Plants to See
Water Lily
(Nymphaea cv.)
Water lilies have heart-shaped leaves and star-shaped flowers that rest flat on the water’s surface. Look for its red, white, and pink blooms throughout the lake.
Hardy Begonia
(Begonia grandis ssp. evansiana)
Along with pendulant, rose-pink flowers, this plant has prominent red-veins on the undersides of its leaves. Native to China, this plant has been admired by poets and painters since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) as a symbol of feminine modesty, beauty and virtue.
Rose
(Rosa ‘Sevillana’)
Developed by the illustrious House of Meilland Roses in France, Rosa ‘Sevillana’ is low-maintenance and blooms profusely throughout summer. Although not native to China, this rose was selected by the original designer as a nod to Portland’s own namesake—“The City of Roses.”
Hibiscus
(Hibiscus ‘Minerva’, ‘Aphrodite’ abd ‘Helene")
Cultivated in China for over 2,000 years, the ‘Minerva’ varietal of this plant has delicate lavender and pink petals with a deep red “eye” in the center. The leaves are sometimes used for tea. The photo shows the varietal ‘Helene’ with white petals and a deep red center.
Crape Myrtle
(Lagerstroemia indica)
This Chinese native was a favorite ornamental tree during the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD), when it was a common sight on palace grounds. Look up high for its dense clusters of crinkled blooms and below for its mottled, peeling bark.
Bush Clover
(Lespedeza thunbergii)
Tucked under a shore pine, this plant’s arching, slender branches create a fountain effect as it cascades into the water. Native to China, this plant has blue-green leaves and soft purple, pea-like flowers.
China Rose
(Rosa chinensis ‘Mutabilis’)
This repeat-blooming rose has flowers that change from pale yellow, to peach, then pink. Native to China, this plant was used in the development of hybrid tea roses in England in the 19th century.
Silk Tree
(Albizzia julibrissin)
Native to China, this tree has bright pink, cushiony flowers. Its delicate, fern-like leaves close at night. Like a happy couple tucked in bed, the Chinese have named it the “shut happy” tree.
Hint: Look up to see these blooms.