EXPO INTRO
The Expo is spread over 92 hectares and contains 14 Pavillions each with a different story to tell. Most stories revolved around advancements in horticulture, connecting with nature and environmental issues. It was great to see people learning about plants, realising how important they are to our everyday life and even how they can be part of the solution to the current environment pressures our planet is facing.
There are approximately 32 millions plants used on the site in a myriad of ways and I did my best to see them all! Following are just some of the photos I took. Enjoy!
Masses of colour and people
The Expo Dome with its Flora Rainbow was once a sporting stadium
Walking across the green roof of the Pavilion of the Future
Display Garden & Planting Features
There were 22 Global Gardens representing countries and cities from all over the world. Some were truly amazing like the Thailand display below.
The ceremonial boat was planted mainly Alternathera ‘Exhibition Border’, whilst the elephant and Buddha were miniature pilea (Pilea depressa), earthstars (Cryptanthus bivittatus), dwarf mondo grass and more Exhibition Border.
Philippines display (left) with its mass of bromeliads
- Shanghai display garden (note the building in the background on the right – its exterior is made solely from recycled plastic bottles)
Cavorting Whales
Giant pineapple and watermelon
Dragon fruits
Of course there were orchids everywhere including the stunning purple vandas (above left) and moth orchids (above right and below). Interestingly the common name they use for the moth orchid (Phalenopsis) is the butterfly orchid which I thought was much nicer.
550 year old bonsai
I instantly fell in love with this begonia (B. symsanguinea cultivar) and am on the hunt to see if I can find it in Australia. Don’t you think it’s just fantastic?
And for a complete change of pace there was a huge display of cacti and succulents which the locals absolutely loved. My favourite was the ‘tortoise’ swimming through the display.
Something told me it had been sometime since this cactus was last on the dancefloor.
Me with some new buddies - two of the Expo Mascots.
All up I thoroughly enjoyed the Expo. It’s always great to see what other countries are doing with plants. The Expo finishes April 25 so you’d need to be quick if you want to catch it. However even after the Expo closes there’s still plenty of interesting stuff to see in Taiwan – especially the orchids!
PS Don’t forget to check out The Plant Addict Shop while you’re here.
You’ll find great gift ideas for garden lovers and fellow plant addicts!