Taichung Flora Expo has kicked off, with that Taichung City Government gathers 60 expert groups from 31 countries in different 5 continents to create “International Gardens” and joined for the “International Indoor Flower Contest”. Among all, at its European Section of Houli Area the United Garden, co-created by AIPH (Association Internationale des Producteurs de l'Horticulture) and Council of Agriculture, displays a herbal plant garden that contains Aquaponics, insect hotel and green building. The concept of sustainability, green island and village regeneration is combined with local culture and plantation, serving the function of sustainability, ecology, scenic view and air quality improvement, while expecting to remind the world of ecological sustainability.

A press to get a first look at AIPH’s Int’l Garden demo is joined by City Mayor Lin Chia-lung, Chairman of AIPH Mr. Bernard Oosterom, AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe, AIPH Chairman of the Marketing and Exhibition Committee Zhang Guo-cheng, Deputy Commissioner of Council of Agriculture Chen Ji-zhongMayor of Dutch city Almere Mr. Franc Weerwind, and AIPH International example garden designer Nilufer Danis.

“Dreams come true.” says Mr. Bernard Oosterom. For several years he had visited Houli Forest Park, where troops and tanks routed by back then. Now the location becomes a magnificent site for int’l garden, thanks to Mayor Lin and the government for a myth like Flora Expo.

Under the support from Council of Agriculture, Taichung City Government and Taiwan Flower Association, Mr. Bernard Oosterom and the team created this int’l garden example, led by garden designer Nilufer Danis and the construction team, a garden of herbal plant garden that contains Aquaponics, insect hotel and green building is waiting for the right moment to bring human and plant together. The key of Flora Expo is to rediscover GNP (Green, Nature and People), a goal shared with the garden. Today the result went far beyond their expectation. He encourages people to visit the achievement, and learn the sustainability idea from it.
Mayor Lin mentioned that AIPH is world prestigious professional organization of horticultural producer, therefore the City Government invited them to join the curating for the demonstration of int’l Garden. Here the achievement is not only about flowers and plants, the key is to present the relationship of gardening and daily living. The designer shows the life style of harmonic sustainability through green building and aquaponics, encouraging everyone to learn from AIPH’s Int’l Garden example.

With AIPH‘s help and invited more than thirty countries to join in Flora Expo, Mayor Lin appreciated the assistance and mentioned that the Flora Expo is not only joined by Taichung but the world stood out to show their best garden, as the contest is not entirely free and these participating countries came all the way to join in the contest that is rated by AIPH. This is a true world class Expo.

Taichung Flora Expo’s concept is announced in “Taichung Declaration”, expecting more recognition through AIPH’s recognition. Co-signed by 110 cities, 64 embassies, representative offices and int’l organizations, the event is achieving more than just a show on so many levels.

Council of Agriculture (COA) Deputy Commissioner Chen Zhong-ji indicated that the Int’l Garden Example by AIPH and COA integrates farmers’ life and farming into ecological environment and even residential garden, showcasing a multicultural visual effect; in addition to this garden, the Example area well displays gardens of more than 30 countries around the world.

With the Flora Expo opening tomorrow, says Chen, more than 2500 varieties, 26 million flowers, trees and bushes will be displayed across 3 areas. Taichung hosted the event to allow Taiwanese agricultural technology, floral industry to be seen by Taiwan and the world. This is the pride of Taiwan that amazes the world.

As per Taichung Education Bureau, int’l garden contest is one of Flora Expo’s most important global activities. The AIPH & Council of Agriculture hosted contest is based on the concept of sustainability, green island and village regeneration. With local culture and plants, an example of garden that demonstrates world top gardening techniques is realized. Five continents, including Europe, America, Africa and Asia, total 31 countries have joined the contest.

European zone takes ecology, environmental friendliness as their theme. Netherlands showcase their world famous windmill and bulbous rooted flowers. Taiwan’s first circular building in Taichung is a good implementation of building material recycling; in America, Africa and Asia zones, unique country style is decorated with special architecture and landscape plants; white sands, tropical palm trees and special artifacts showing sea island style in Palau, Solomon Islands and Marshall Islands; next to it there is Taiwanese garden, decorating with traditional red bricks to build up the hospitality and old fashion of Taiwan style.

As per Education Bureau, the contest consists of two phases, the preliminary review before grand opening, and how to keep the piece at best status throughout the Expo of 6 months. AIPH assisted in implementing the example garden, and led international committees to rate for best garden design. The result will be declared and winners awarded on the closing stage of Flora Expo next April.