Plums do not compete with snow for whiteness; snow, however, pales in comparison in fragrance.          ~ Snow Plum, by Lu Meipo

The Three Friends of Winter: Pine, Bamboo and Plum Blossom

There is Chinese poetry written for almost every flower on earth. Along with pine and bamboo, the plum blossom is known to be “the three friends of winter” in Chinese culture. Both pine and bamboo are known for their evergreen qualities during the winter. The pine has significance for its perseverance. The bamboo stands for humility and temperance.

The plum blossom blooms in the severest of a snowy winter. Its cultural significance is shown in one who blossoms in the most trying times of life. Historically, poets and painters represent these three trees in the realm of spiritual pursuits and character formation.

The above-quoted verse is a poem from the Song dynasty poet Lu Meipo. In seeing the scenery of plum blossoms in snow, the poet lauds the plum blossom for its fragrance, something that his words can’t convey.

The plum blossom is also the national flower for Taiwan.

Plum Blossom Viewing at Meiyuan

After lots of winter foliage comes the season for plum blossoms. I took a short trip to see a grove of plum blossoms at Meiyuan. The date of visit is February 3, 2026.

Quite unlike the poetic experience of Lu Meipo when he wrote his poetry praising the plum blossom, I did not smell the fragrance there. Or maybe it was because the crowds there distracted me from a true appreciation of nature’s blessing. In my mind’s eye I pictured the scenery before me without the throngs of keen photographers.

Meiyuan, meaning “the Garden of Plum Blossoms,” is the only spot of significance within Shenzhen’s urban area to view plum blossoms.

I went last year on February 11 and was enormously disappointed because the season had ended already. I almost had the park all to myself that day, because there was nothing to see at all.

This year, in early February, the plum blossoms there are at full bloom. I wanted to visit the park when the lighting is favorable for pictures, and it seems like everybody else had the same intention. There were so many tourists there. I could hardly get any shots of the trees.

The park features both pink and white plum blossoms. There should be about four to five different kinds of plum blossoms there.

Photograph: This kind of white plum blossom has straight branches. It branches do not grow upward but spreads out instead.

Getting There

From the Lianhuabei (蓮花北站) Metro station Exit B, I walked a footbridge across to reach the bus stop for either Bus Routes 358 or 364. Ride for about five stops. Get off at the Beihuan Xiangmilijiaoxi (北環香蜜立交西站) stop and Meiyuan is right there.

Sources

China ancient poetry and books net, Snow Plum.