Floral landscaping brings a riot of color to city's streets

Drivers and pedestrians crossing overpasses and footbridges in Guangzhou in November could expect to see Bougainvillea glabra in full bloom against the backdrop of an azure autumn sky.

The flowers, which can range in color from purple, red and pink to white and yellow, cover the sides of 353 overpasses and footbridges measuring 330 kilometers in length in Guangzhou, bringing a riot of color to the cityscape.

Thirteen species have been selected out of a total of 150 to decorate the bridges together with some other plants. Careful management, means there are flowers in bloom all year round, up from two seasons in 2003 when the work began to beautify the bridges, said Ruan Lin, dean of the Guangzhou Institute of Forestry and Landscape Architecture.