北京植物园 - Beijing Botanical Garden

Hello all! I am happy to report that my meeting at Beijing Botanical Garden went exceptionally well on Monday. For those of you who do not know, there are two Beijing Botanical Gardens. These gardens, often called Beijing Botanical Garden North (北植北植）and South (南植北植), were originally a single institution. However, today, the larger, northern garden is supported by the Beijing municipal government and is primarily focused on education, display, and collections. The southern garden, also known as the Institute of Botany, Beijing, is supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and is primarily focused on research (though there are some overlapping functions between the two institutions).

While I was visiting the northern garden, the employees were busily preparing for the Olympic flower show and related activities. Throughout the gardens, there were elaborate topiaries and wire-framed figures created to represent different sporting events in the summer games, as well as various other Olympic-related figures and motifs. As you can see from the intricate work of the Beijing 2008 logo above, as well as the fascinating bicyclists and fish (in front of the conservatory) below, these were quite labor-intensive displays.

The mayor and other important dignitaries were due to arrive the next day to view the gardens and Olympic displays, so it was truly a privilege and an honor that several individuals took time out of their day to meet with me and discuss the exchange program I am proposing. Most notably, I spoke with Dr. ZHAO Shi-wei, who is both Deputy Director of the botanical garden and the Secretary General of the Botanical Garden Association of the Chinese Botanical Society (the counterpart to the American Public Gardens Association in China).

One of my Chinese professors at the University of Delaware, Dr. Chen, was also in Beijing at this time as a result of his position as Director of the Delaware Governor's School for Excellence in China. He attended the morning meetings with me to aid in translating. In addition to speaking with Dr. Zhao, we had the opportunity to tour part of the gardens and facilities with Ms. PAN Gui-ping, including the garden's large tissue-culture facility. Ms. CHEN Chun-ling, of the tissue culture lab showed us around that facility. We were later joined by Mr. WANG Kang, the institution's Research Horticulturist who provided valuable insights regarding establishing the exchange program I am proposing.

I must say, that each person I talk with regarding my project makes me even more excited to continue the work I am doing!!

One of the many beautiful scenic spots at Beijing Botanical Garden

The Peony Collection

Left to Right: Ms. Pan Gui-ping, Ms. Chen Chun-ling, and Dr. Chen