The 2025 Shanghai International Flower Show, themed "Blossoming Xintiandi", will run from April 18 to May 11.

Featuring two main venues and 27 garden displays, this year's exhibition promises a vibrant floral experience for both locals and visitors.

This year, the flower show emphasizes integration with the city, resident participation, collaborative efforts, regional collaboration, and responsible viewing.

Spanning two main venues, five sub-venues, and 15 city-themed nodes, the exhibition covers a total area of 390 hectares.

Two main venues, 27 gardens

The show's core concept revolves around blending urban spaces with natural landscapes. It incorporates city-wide flower displays, creating an immersive springtime experience.

The Shanghai Botanical Garden serves as the "main industry venue", showcasing technological advancements in horticulture.

Meanwhile, Xintiandi, a popular commercial and cultural complex in the city’s downtown, acts as the "main city venue", highlighting the flower show's urban integration.

Together, these two locations feature a total of 27 meticulously designed gardens, embodying the theme "city and nature".

Garden highlights

The main venues include three standout sections: World Garden, Theme Garden, and Dream Garden.

World Garden

Located in the Taipingqiao Green Area of Xintiandi, this section features international designers from countries such as the United States, France, Germany, Japan, and Singapore.

Visitors are treated to the elegance of a French Impressionist garden, the exploration of German cultural values incorporating color theory and philosophies, and the serene, Zen-inspired spaces of traditional Japanese design.

The eco-conscious designs address the importance of bringing nature back to urban environments, integrating ecology with daily life, and preserving urban biodiversity.

Theme Garden

Also in Xintiandi, including areas like the Taipingqiao Green Area, Sinan Mansions, and the Bund, this section consists of a "Healing Theme Garden" and "Designer Theme Garden".

In collaboration with medical institutions and universities, the gardens explore themes like emotional well-being, Alzheimer's care, hospice care, edible plants, and accessible vegetable gardens, highlighting the connection between the environment and human health.

Dream Garden

Situated in the northern part of the Shanghai Botanical Garden, this section showcases winning designs by students who took part in the "Future Garden Designer Competition".

These creations tackle concepts like eco-restoration and harmonious living between humans and birds, showcasing the charm of lane life, evoking memories of familiar flavors, and capturing the subtle sounds of nature.

No "theme flower", more variety

Breaking with tradition, this year's show doesn't feature a single "theme flower".

Instead, the organizers aim to showcase a broader range of new and interesting flower varieties, promoting them to both industry professionals and the public.

At the Shanghai Botanical Garden, expect over 2,500 types of new and distinctive plants within the "New and Outstanding Plants" and "Rare Plants" sections.

In total, there are 150 kinds of rare plants and 270 varieties of new high-quality flowers exhibited by several domestic and international botanical gardens and flower breeding companies.

During the opening ceremony, nine new flower varieties will be highlighted, including "rouge" azaleas, "sweet" series irises, and "orange sunshine" lilies.

Five sub-venues and 15 city nodes to explore

In addition to the main venues, the flower show extends throughout the city. Here's a glimpse of what each sub-venue has to offer:

Xuhui district

The Hengfu Musical Block serves as the main exhibition area, featuring 19 themed attractions and showcasing nearly 20 new and improved flower varieties from various flower companies.

This year's event aims to be an innovative and sustainable green flower show, integrating garden displays with the district's 49 historical buildings. Visitors can enjoy interactive music installations, instrument-shaped landscaping, and performances by students.

Pudong New Area

Located in the Qiantan area, this venue focuses on creating a "strollable, photogenic, and fun" experience.

The waterfront public space and three commercial complexes are linked through "new naturalism flower corridors".

Pudong district will host flower markets and limited-edition culinary events, while Qiantan area features four themed attractions with flower corridors, streets, slopes, and terraces.

Fengxian district

Held in the Shanghai Paopao Park from April 28 to May 22, this venue explores the "Fengxian model" for building park cities around the Fish of Shanghai ecological core area.

In collaboration with universities, the venue hosts a College Student Garden Festival, displaying young designers' visions for park cities.

Lin-gang Special Area

This venue uses flowers to encapsulate the district's youthful spirit. It features tulips, roses, lupines, snapdragons, irises, carnations and more, with a love-themed garden taking center stage. The venue will also host activities related to photography, tea tasting and discount shopping at local shops.

Shanghai Binjiang Forest Park

Home to the city's largest azalea garden, this venue offers an immersive experience combining traditional horticulture with contemporary cultural elements.

The exhibit showcases a variety of azaleas and features 10 scenic "azalea wonderlands", hosting interactive activities and cultural events.

More than just flowers: A blend of culture, commerce, and tourism

The show goes beyond just showcasing plants. Expect pop-up flower markets, co-branded products, art installations, and a variety of events that celebrate the intersection of nature, culture, and urban life.

The mascot: "flower baby"

Don't miss the debut of the flower show's official mascot, "flower baby", a spirited magnolia sprite embodying curiosity and love for nature.

 

Source: Shanghai Observer