A large number of tiger lilies at the Nanguo Tropical Garden in the coastal city of Zhanjiang, Guangdong province came into full bloom just in time for Mother's Day on May 8.

Covering an area of almost 10,000 square meters, the brightly colored tiger lilies attracted many visitors during the day.

Crowned as "mother's flower" in China, the cultivation of tiger lily dates back thousands of years ago, with the earliest records showing the flower mentioned in an ancient book of poetry, Shijing, dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th to seventh century-771 BC).

According to the book, men used to plant tiger lilies at home before they left home to live elsewhere, to ease the pain caused to their mothers upon their parting, which gives the flower another alternative name of "forget-me-not".

Blossoming in vibrant yellows and oranges, the tiger lilies will be in full bloom for one month, said Chen Pengcheng, director at the Nanguo Tropical Garden. He added that many visitors take photos of the flowers as a gift on Mother's Day.

The tiger lilies at the Nanguo Tropical Garden in Zhanjiang are in full bloom. [Photo/yinsha.com]

Covering an area of 64 hectares, the Nanguo Tropical Garden was classed as an excellent garden of Guangdong according to provincial authorities in 2012. [Photo/yinsha.com]

Tiger lily, also known as "forget-me-not", attract thousands of visitors to the park every year during their blooming period, which falls around Mother's Day, the second Sunday in May. [Photo/yinsha.com]