I have to share a magical plum blossom moment from this past Sunday at Lan Su Chinese Garden. The garden was buzzing with families celebrating the final week of Lunar New Year festivities, with laughter echoing through the pavilions and kids running around excitedly. As I walked into the Scholar’s Courtyard, answering a visitor’s question about Chinese new year customs, something magical happened.

The delicate pink plum blossoms had just begun to bloom, scattering petals across the branches. As the light breeze embraced us, both the visitor and I found ourselves momentarily speechless. The garden seemed to pause, as if inviting us to fully appreciate this quiet, stunning moment.

Then, a deep, powerful voice broke the stillness, reciting a well-known Tang dynasty Chinese poem:

“Bù jīng yī fān hán chègǔ yān dé méihuā pūbí xiāng”

“不經一番寒徹骨，焉得梅花撲鼻香?”

(Translated: “How would you be rewarded by the fragrance of plum blossoms without persevering through a bone-chilling cold?”).

The voice, full of wisdom, felt like something out of a Chinese martial arts movie! I looked over and saw an older Chinese gentleman standing tall by the Scholar’s Study and dignified. For a second, I half-expected an epic sword fight to break out among the pink blossoms! These unexpected, magical moments are why I love Lan Su so much—you never know what you’ll encounter at the garden.

Oh, right, about those plum blossoms!

Our plum trees (Prunus mume, P. mume ‘Kobai’, P. mume ‘Alba’) are blooming in a few locations in the garden. But did you know the garden is filled with hidden plum blossoms too? You can find intricate carvings at the Boat House and the “plum blossoms on cracked ice” stone mosaic in the Scholar’s Courtyard, right next to the plum trees.

Plum blossoms traditionally symbolize courage and perseverance in Chinese culture. They’ve inspired generations of scholars and continue to remind us all that, even through the coldest winters, beauty and renewal are possible. Spring is just around the corner!

And to the gentleman in the courtyard around 11 AM this past Sunday—Xie xie! I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself, but thank you for making that moment unforgettable!