Native ornamental plants will occupy centerstage at the forthcoming Flora Filipina Garden Show to be held at Wow Philippines in Intramuros, Manila, from February 23 to March 6.
This is the super garden show under the auspices of the Philippine Horticultural Society and the Philippine Orchid Society. Collaborating with the two garden clubs is the Los Baņos Orchid Society which will take charge of a two-day Floriculture Industry Conference which will be held at the Manila Hotel on February 24 to 25. Horticulture experts from the Philippines as well as from other countries will present papers at the conference.
Aside from native orchids, the Philippines boasts of numerous native ornamentals, including the Ardisia pyramidalis pictured here. Among outstanding native plants are several Alocasias found from different parts of the country, aglaonemas from Bicol and other parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. There are also interesting Schismathoglottis from Panay Island.
Of the native flowering vines, the Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) and its cousin Strongylodon elmeri are the most outstanding.
A special feature of the show will be the auction of native ornamentals.
Flora Filipina Garden Show is the first attempt at a major international show which is being supported by private as well as government institutions. Among those who have committed themselves to support the event are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, PCARRD-Department of Science and Technology, Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Orchidarium, Manila Hotel and Manila Bulletin.
Nurseries abroad have already expressed their plans to attend Flora Filipina Garden Show. The organizers are hopeful that the foreign visitors will be buying plants produced by local growers.
By the way, the Philippine Orchid Society will be observing its 60th anniversary next year. The Philippine Horticultural Society, on the other hand, will be observing its 25th anniversary.
