Gulin Flowers

Gulin Flowers

　　Gulin offers a wide range of flower types, including woody varieties like camellias, azaleas, osmanthus, Bauhinia, roses, China roses, and crabapples; climbing ones such as honeysuckle and roses; and herbaceous species that cover peonies, tree peonies, lotuses, and chrysanthemums, among others. Orchids, in particular, enjoy fame across the province and beyond. With their exquisite fragrance and unusual blooms—some reminiscent of the deep scent of osmanthus, others echoing the refined charm of plum blossoms—their concentrated, soul-stirring aroma has earned them the reputation as the “fragrance of kings.”

　　One of the standout features of Gulin orchids is their vast cultivation area and diverse varieties. There are dozens of types, including Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium ensifolium var. haematodes, Cymbidium goeringii, Cymbidium cyperifolium, Cymbidium faberi, Cymbidium kanran, Cymbidium hookerianum, Cymbidium lowianum, Cymbidium bicolor, Cymbidium linearifolium, Cymbidium tigrinum, Cymbidium mannii, Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Cymbidium tracyanum, and many others. Their fragrance graces the air every month of the year. National orchid experts who have visited Gulin have expressed amazement, hailing the region as an orchid sanctuary.

　　The second remarkable trait of Gulin orchids is their diverse and elegant flower shapes, featuring types such as mmei (slipper), lotus, and narcissus (which are further divided into plain, butterfly, and double-lipped varieties), as well as crystal tips, crystal spires, and more. The lip petals come in spoon, ladle, and fish-belly shapes. Flower forms include “Dragon and Phoenix in Harmony,” “Golden Abundance,” “Phoenix Leaf in Flight,” “Phoenix Crown,” “Jade Qilin,” “Maitreya Buddha,” “Green Velvet Ball,” “Golden Lotus Tripod,” “Twin Maidens,” “Giant Dragon,” “Colorful Robe,” “Flower Fairy,” “Green Treasure Lotus,” “Thousand-Hand Guanyin,” “Crimson Clouds in Flight,” “Drunken Beauty,” “Green Cloud,” “Petal Butterfly,” “Shu Pride,” and “Red Jade”—a total of 21 distinct shapes.

　　The third remarkable feature of Gulin orchids is their vibrant and ever-changing colors. They come in red, yellow, white, green, black, and more. Red hues include vermilion, bright red, peach, blush, and scarlet; yellows range from golden, iron, sprout, goose, to orange-yellow; bi-colored varieties combine yellow, blue, white, and black. Many prized cultivars are named after their distinctive colors—for example, those named for red include “Horseshoe Red,” “Sun Red,” “Golden Goose Red,” “Red Jade,” and “Crimson Clouds in Flight”; yellow-named ones include “Great Yellow Robe,” “Royal Crown,” “Golden Lotus Tripod,” “Drunken Consort,” and “Golden Abundance”; white-named varieties include “Flower Fairy,” “Jade Qilin,” and “Jade Butterfly”; green-named ones include “Green Velvet Ball,” “Green Treasure Lotus,” and “Jadeite Crown.” The diversity and brilliance of colors make them a breathtaking sight.

　　Orchids are highly adaptable and can thrive in various environments—from cliffs and valleys to fertile soil, rocky gorges, wild terrains, and even balconies. They possess an understated elegance, blooming year-round, and can either bloom alone in secluded valleys or harmonize beautifully in garden collections. Because of this, they are especially cherished. At the national sixth International Orchid Exhibition, Gulin orchids won 10 gold awards, 10 silver awards, and 16 bronze awards. In provincial and municipal orchid shows, they secured 25 gold, 38 silver, and 15 bronze awards, earning widespread fame both domestically and internationally. Experts have praised Gulin orchids as “unparalleled marvels of the era” and “a unique wonder of southern Sichuan.”