Tian'anmen Square to become a 'Harbor of Flowers'

(BEIJING, June 20) -- According to Legal Evening News, on Friday morning, "Olympic Flowers" were put into the Olympic Green central dome., This project, says the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Parks and Forestry, is part of the decoration scheme for the Olympic Games. By July 15, more than 4,000 potted flowers will be spread all around the city.

According to Mr. Zhou Jianping, the deputy director of the City Greening Division of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Parks and Forestry, so far, the greening task has been successful.

The temperature and humidity are high from July through August in Beijing, which is not good for the growing of flowers. Therefore, in order to cultivate "Olympic Flowers," after 5 years of research, experts have come up with over 100 varieties of flowers that can triumph over these weather conditions and survive planting in large zones. These varieties include more than 20 flowers such as Crabapple, Impatiens, Common Zinnia and Rat Tail that are very common in the city of Beijing. These flowers can grow in high temperatures and the blooming period of these flowers are long.

The Olympic Green central dome, the Tian'anmen area, Chang'an Avenue and the road to the Capital Airport are the four areas most important on the decoration plan, says Zhou.

Moreover, the city ring roads and main connecting lines, central shopping areas and the Olympic Village, etc., will also be decorated with "Olympic Flowers."

Zhou further explained that an emergency response plan protecting the flowers against extreme weather has been established. This includes a reserve of 1.2 million emergency potted flowers.

In addition, Zhou told reporters that after the Games, perennial flowers will be renewed while herbaceous flowers that can only live for one year will be recycled. The "Olympic Flowers" will also be put on the market, ranging from 2 yuan to 30 yuan.