The Leisure & Cultural Services Department is considering more thematic sites with distinctive tree species for public parks.

Senior Leisure Manager (Horticulture) Choi Lim-cho says the department already has the Magnolia Garden at the Zoological & Botanical Gardens, the Prunus Garden in Tsing Yi Park, and the Chinese hibiscus path in Yeung Siu Hang Garden, Tuen Mun.

"The annual large-scale flower show provides an excellent opportunity for us to source new species by sharing tree planting experience with experts from other countries. We will also arrange planting trials for the extraordinary species they brought to Hong Kong, including the rare wollemia pine, xanthostemon chrysanthus and xanthorrhea lauca, to see if the local climate and environment allow wholesome growth of the plants," he said.

In bloom: The Leisure & Cultural Services Department plants flowers like spider tree and jacaranda blooms, and blossoms of the Hong Kong orchid tree.

Year-round flowers

Mr Choi said most of the trees the department plants are exotic flowering trees originating from extratropical areas outside south China.

They can be found year round, like the tall bottle-brush and spider tree bloom in spring; the jacaranda, flame of the forest and queen crape myrtle bloom in summer; the blossoms of Hong Kong orchid tree and the purple camel's foot in autumn; and the African tulip tree and common coral tree in winter.

The department manages and conserves 720,000 trees of about 500 local and exotic species in its venues, roadside amenity areas, and government buildings. About 10,000 trees will be planted this year, to green the environment.

Mr Choi said most of the saplings are planted in warm and humid seasons from March to October for better growth. The location is carefully selected. District leisure services offices then do jobs like pruning, pest and weed control, fertilisation, irrigation, soil improvement and inspection.