[InKunming--Kunming] Recently, a variety of allium from exotic places are blooming in the allium garden of Kunming Botanic Garden, which seems like a sea of purple dandelions dancing with the blustery winds of spring. Anyway, it is a new gorgeous landscape appearing in Kunming and is worthy of visiting.

The allium exhibition garden covers 5.5 mu (about 0.37 acres), and is divided into four areas, including the viewing area, edible allium area, medicinal allium area, and native allium species area. These days, plenty of allium plants from exotic places have blossomed with special fragrance.

On November 22nd, 2017, the Sino-Uz Global Allium Garden (Kunming Center), which is the first allium garden in the world, was officially launched by Kunming Institude of Botany and Uzbekistan Institute of Botany. At present, the garden has collected 154 species (65 identified species). As planed, at least 120 species of allium will be cultivated in the first phase of construction. As time goes by, more than 90% of the world’s allium plants will be collected and showcased in the final.

In China, scallion, chive, onion and garlic are regarded as indispensable ingredients in cooking, and they also belong to allium plants. Allium chinense (also called Chinese onion) is a kind of allium loved by Yunnan people, especially when it is pickled. Fried with minced meat, it is a memorable dish for many people.

There are more than 500 species of allium plants in the world, and 110 species (including foreign species) in China, which are mainly distributed in arid north and cool alpine areas.

In addition to the allium, there are other beautiful plants just budded in the eastern part of Kunming Botanic Garden, such as metasequoia and water lily.

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(Editors: Christine, Rachel)