The Scholar’s Scroll
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Explore cultural traditions, Chinese folklore, horticulture updates, Lan Su News, and more on our blog.
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Culture Spotlight: The Return of Kunqu (昆曲) Opera at Lan Su
Learn about Suzhou’s iconic art form, Kunqu (昆曲), known as the “mother of Chinese opera.” See it live at Lan Su this September for the garden’s 25th anniversary!
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Culture Spotlight: Luòshén (洛神)—Flower Immortal of the Hibiscus
Learn the legendary tragic romance behind how Lady Zhen (甄宓) became Luòshén (洛神), Goddess of the Luo River and Flower Immortal of the Hibiscus.
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A farewell to our volunteers from Maggie Lim
Dear Friends, After 15 wonderful years, I will be stepping away from my role as Cultural Program Manager at Lan Su Chinese Garden. I still remember the first time I
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Hort Tidbit: August, the Month of Hibiscus
Hibiscus is an emblematic symbol of late summer and early fall to China. Learn about our local collection here at Lan Su—and the ones we wish we had!
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Culture Spotlight: The Mighty Banana Leaf that Cool You Down
In the summertime, the banana leaves at Lan Su provide a refreshing ambiance. They symbolize renewal and resilience in Chinese culture, deeply rooted in history and legend. Learn about their uses through the centuries.
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Culture Spotlight: Xi Shi 西施 – Flower Immortal of July
The piece highlights July’s flower, the lotus, linked to the legendary Xi Shi, a beauty who influenced history through her charm and espionage, embodying the grace and strength of femininity.
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Hort Tidbit – June/July 2025: Delving into the 12 Months of Flowers
Hello everyone and welcome to summer! In this column, I will be introducing a new concept called the “12 Flower Goddesses”(十二花神 Shí’èr Huā shén). Each goddess is representative of her month’s
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IPM: Beneficial Insects at Lan Su
At Lan Su Chinese Garden, we practice Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. IPM is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on the long-term prevention of pests and the damage that they
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Culture Spotlight: Pushing Hands
Every Father’s Day, I think about Pushing Hands《推手》—the 1991 debut film by my favorite Taiwanese director, Ang Lee, and the first in his “Father Trilogy.” It follows Mr. Chu, a retired Tai Chi
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Culture Spotlight: Lady White Snake (白蛇傳)
The Dragon Boat Festival is coming up on May 31! While it’s best known for zongzi, boat races, and honoring the poet Qu Yuan, it’s also a perfect time to revisit the magical love story of Lady White Snake—especially fitting in the Year of the Snake.