China embarks on a green march forward
By Jeff Gibson (City Weekend)
Updated: 2004-05-14 10:22

Whether it's charming your sweetheart with a bouquet or congratulating a colleague, buying flowers in China is getting a lot easier.

A Chinese shopper waits for her order at a flower shop in Shanghai, February 12, 2004. Flower shops in China's business capital are experiencing surge in sales as Valentine's Day approaches. [Reuters]

Spring in China brings three biblical plagues: gritty sandstorms, pollen snowfall, and mosquito infestation. Mix in growing gridlock and billowing pollution and you have recipe for yearlong SAD (seasonal affective disorder). But there's a ray of hope breaking through the poisoned clouds; the cities are steadily becoming greener as China embarks on an environmental lawn march forward.

Driven by surging wealth, changing government policy, and preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games or the 2010 World Fair, flowers and plants are making a comeback on the Chinese mainland. The evidence is spurting up all around: from the tulip wonderland in Beijing's Jingshan Park to the fruit tree lined airport expressway in Shanghai; from reforesting the Gobi desert to reinvigorating Xian's ancient bell tower with a lavishly landscaped public square; from zoysia carpeted golf courses in Guangdong to grass in Tiananmen Square. Another main root China's beautification is its blooming floriculture industry, which is valued at US$3.5 billion.

Greater Kunming is now a global botanical production center thanks to five years of 30% growth rates; last year Yunnan farmers cultivated some 3 billion flowers, raking in US$506 million. One Taiwanese businessman even shelled out US$160,000 for three rare orchids from the province. But for most of the masses, China's maturing flora market is delivering greater supply and cheaper prices to consumers.

This means that greenery is becoming an affordable luxury. "Chinese people are earning more; a small amount of reminbi buys a nice arrangement or plant," says Greenex Asia Sales Manger Torben Pedersen. His Danish company exports spiky bromeliad and erotic anthurium- China's favorite potted plants that are famed for their resistance to heat and cold, long shelf lives, and air purifying qualities. "Even if you forget to water them, these plants are almost impossible to kill," he jokes. Plus they come in red, China's classic shade. So whether it's charming your sweetheart with a bouquet or congratulating a colleague, buying flowers in China is getting a lot easier.

Still, petal-packed households are out of reach for most laobaixing (the common people). The Chinese Flower Association claims that residents in major cities spend only YY30 a year on blossoms. Car owners are prime consumers, but pedicab drivers are not. Key national holidays, however, mark an exception. Chinese open their wallets wide to deck the halls for the Spring Festival.

"Chinese and Western festivals are huge," explains Zhou Yongcheng, the Vice General Manager of Beijing Laitai Flower & Plant Co. Ltd. "Everybody is out spending big money... Valentine's Day is the largest, most profitable time for us. Last year, for example, customers bought more than 99,900 roses." Stems usually sell for one or two kuai, but on Valentines prices skyrocket upwards of YY15 per rose. Orange bearing bushes, some of which are imported from Holland, also sell well during the Lunar New Year.

Aside from roses, which are available in a potpourri of colors at botanical markets, China has plenty of other favorite blossoms. The national flower is the tree peony (mu dan). Symbolizing wealth and nobility, it was once only enjoyed by emperors. Now, anyone can buy one for YY10 a stem, but act quickly because peonies are only in season in early Spring. In 1994 a countrywide survey also put lotus (he hua), plum blossom (mei hua), and chrysanthemum (ju hua) in the top five. More recently, China's hip youth have spent their pocket change on romantic roses and fragrant lilies. Certain colors are prized as well.

"The main color in China is red. Always has been, always will be," says Da Tong Holland China International Trade Co. Ltd. Managing Director Jan Hageman. From the revolution background of the national flag to luck and love, this shade ranks number one. Be careful with white; it isn't used in weddings, but rather in funerals, though this tradition is changing among younger generations. Yellow and purple are imperial and scholarly colors, but also stand for friendship. Pink is for parents.

PETAL PUSHERS

When it comes to filling Northern China's floral stands with fresh blossoms, business starts at Beijing's Laitai Market. The Chinese mainland's oldest and largest botanical auction house attracts retailers from as far as Shanghai and Harbin. After suppliers send in their stock lists, showcase flowers rumble into the bidding hall on a squeaky conveyor belt, still frigid from the cooling warehouse. A sweaty announcer then kicks off the event by barking numbers into his microphone.

Buyers like Zhang Yongli punch the red button at their desks, which triggers a wall-sized electronic board to lights up with flashing yellow dots. Sold! Five hundred Casablanca lilies to the smartly dressed lady in the white business suit for YY4 a stem. Finally, an antique dot matrix printer crackles to life, spits out the order, it's faxed to the suppler, and the buyer's flowers are shipped off to a florist near you in less than 48 hours. Laitai charges 3% handling levy and a YY1000 yearly membership fee for the service if you're thinking about setting up shop.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Chaoyang District floral markets may be convenient for CBD movers and shakers, but the outlying botanical super stores have better prices. If you're buying in bulk, then the YY1-2 savings per stem make the longer trip worthwhile. All bazaars offer a broad selection of flowers, plants, handicrafts, and household accessories. Most individual stalls are willing to deliver. The markets are listed by size.

Beijing

Laitai Flower Market (laitai huahui shichang)

This 23,000 square meter complex on Woman's Street houses China's largest wholesale flower auction and Beijing's biggest selection of potted plants.

Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm (M-T), 9:00am-6:30pm (F-S) Tel: 6463.6554

Yuquanying Flower Market (yuquanying huahui shichang)

Located in Southwest Beijing.

Summer Hours: 8:30am-6:00pm (M-T) 8:30am-6:30pm (F-S) Tel: 6253.8637

Big Forest Flower Market (dasenlin huahui shichang)

Hidden behind concrete high rises in Zhongguancun, this plant warehouse is good choice for those who live in Northern Beijing. Tel: 6211.9255

Landmark Flower Market (liangmahe huahui shichang)

Located across the street from the Sunflower Tower.

Hours: 8:30am-6:00pm Tel: 6462.1650

Dushi Fangqun Gardens Flower Market (dushi huahui shichang)

This botanical super store is nestled in Southern Beijing's Fengtai District near Puhuangyu.

Hours: 8:30am-6:00pm Tel: 6769.1661

Capital Discount Flower Market (jingdu huixin huahui shichang )

Situated between Madian Bridge and Ikea.

Hours: 8:30am-6:30pm Tel: 6237.8308

Shanghai

Shan'xi Flower Market

Shanghai's number one flower market, is located in central Shanghai, on Shan'xi road at No. 255 Shan'xi North Road. Visit www.shjwmkt.market.china-flower.com to check out the selection. Tel: 021-6467-7158

Shanghai is home to only one large-scale flower market, but you'll find a plethora of small florists around town.

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