Outside the exhibition, a highly conceptual and imaginative poetic installation 'The Outer The Better'
- Post-limit garden art mixing cartoons and Japanese garden examples
The Essence of Matter Garden, created by horticulturist Didier Danet
Idealistic Flower and Plant Garden, created by horticulturist Olivier Bedouelle
Mirror Garden Above and Below, a work by horticulturist Thierry Dalcant
Zen-inspired Karikomi courtyard featured in Feijia Luo magazine, a work by horticulturist Christian Foumet
Lush urban garden designed by the Gally team
Playful and imaginative floating garden, a work by horticulturist Amaury Gallon
Small Objects, Large Space - High-Heel Planter
Painted Planters with Lemons and Oranges
Garden Decorations - Lifelike Duck Flock

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. When modern cities become dense forests of concrete walls, real estate becomes precious inch by inch, making public green spaces a key indicator of urban living quality. Taking Paris as an example, in recent years, areas around the city’s ring road have not only been renovated with trams replacing buses but also extensively developed green spaces. This transformation improves not just the city’s image but also its quality of life. Lifestyle adjustments and leisure pursuits depend on each citizen’s interests. Beauty-loving is human nature, and loving flowers and plants is innate to Parisians. Some say Taiwanese people consume one highway’s worth of food annually; reportedly, French people spend enough on gardening and flowers to cover two highways. One can imagine the French fascination and preference for plants and flowers.

From the perspective of the annual Paris Tuileries Gardening Exhibition, it proves the Parisians’ consumption and demand for gardening. Every district has lush parks and vibrant gardens; flower markets and florists are found at every street corner, and even mobile markets feature plant stalls. Flowers and plants have become necessities of life and spiritual nourishment that adds charm and interest to daily life. Visiting friends and family with a bouquet or potted plant is far more elegant than giving chocolates or pastries, because floral language represents countless sentiments that other material goods cannot express. Plants and flowers have become essential to life; romantic atmospheres are undoubtedly linked to them.

Living in Paris has immersed one in the creation of lifestyle ambiance and existential texture. I attend the annual Paris Gardening Exhibition for leisure, hoping to discover something new amidst the plants and emerging urban gardening trends. Current developments in urban gardening are closely tied to social progress. The recycling and development of new materials in consumer society have created new forms of gardening, such as imaginative uses of limited space: mixed cartoon images combined with Japanese gardens, floating balloon-structure gardens, mirror-reflected gardens exploring virtual and real spaces, Figaro Gardens resembling Eastern Zen temples, or bonsai inside shoes—small yet offering infinite imaginative space. Garden decorations are particularly abundant, including animal-like sculptures and abstract carvings. Gardening tools and apparel are available here, along with many rare plant and floral displays. Parisians take this opportunity to carry home bags full of offerings in plants and flowers. Specialized gardening bookstores and information on gardens and parks across France can be found at this exhibition. During summer vacations, one can plan visits. Additionally, there are special expert lectures and gardening demonstrations, providing opportunities to consult experts on various issues. The gardening exhibition has become an annual ritual for Parisians who love gardening and plants. I am no exception, gaining new insights and perceptions each year.