Every spring, I find myself waiting for the magnolias at Lan Su like I am waiting for an old friend to return.

For me, magnolia has become deeply personal because it always makes me think of Ms. He Fengchun.

If you are new to Lan Su, you may be wondering who Ms. He is. Ms. He’s full name is He Fengchun (賀鳳春). As President of the Suzhou Garden Design Institute, she was a driving force behind the creation of Lan Su 25 years ago. This was her first international garden project, and she guided it from design through on-site supervision and coordination.

I first met Ms. He ten years ago during her last return visit to Lan Su, and I was lucky enough to be one of the staff members welcoming her. Over the last decade, she has continued to be deeply supportive of Lan Su and of me professionally. Many of our staff make a point to visit her whenever we are in Suzhou, which says so much about how deeply loved and respected she is.

In Chinese culture, magnolia is a symbol of feminine strength and nobility, and I cannot think of those qualities without thinking of Ms. He. She embodies magnolia in the most beautiful way. There is strength in her, but it is never loud. She has a wonderful wit and sense of humor, but never wears them loudly. She is one of the people who taught me just how precious Lan Su is, not only as a garden of stones, plants, and pavilions, but as a living place of stories, memory, and care. She helped me understand that Lan Su is not simply something we maintain. It is something we treasure, protect, and keep telling stories about so it may keep blooming for others.

Even after retiring last year, Ms. He still keeps Lan Su close to her heart and follows us online. In fact, during our last lunch together in Suzhou, she pulled out her phone to show us all the screenshot photos of Lan Su’s social media posts of our most recent cultural programs and even local media coverage! ) Her connection with the physical garden and the community of Lan Su continues to grow long after the construction was completed 25 years ago. And this magnolia is now a living tribute to the women whose strength, vision, and care help places like Lan Su flourish. 

For more stories like this hidden among the blossoms, I invite you to join us for Mulan: Magnolia Festival, beginning March 20, and experience magnolia season through floral showcases, guided walks, hands-on activities, and special cultural and artistic offerings at Lan Su.

See you under the magnolia blossoms.