Happy Green Home

Happy Green Home

Cosy Green Homes amid the Epidemic

The Hong Kong Flower Show, originally scheduled to be held from 11 to 20 March 2022 at Victoria Park, had to be cancelled for the third consecutive year due to the epidemic. To optimise resources to promote greening in housing estates, the Horticulture Unit of the Housing Department distributed about 3 000 “seed and pot” DIY kits with horticulture leaflets to estate households that participated in the Community Greening Programme and the Community Garden Programme in 2021/22.

While staying at home to fight the epidemic, residents may look out of their windows to enjoy the view of a “plant kingdom”, with birds twittering and butterflies dancing, and the fragrance of flowers wafting in the air. Also, by growing indoor plants at home, residents can green their homes while relieving stress.

Community Greening Programme

Community Garden Programme

A Little Bean Plant’s Growth Diary

Home for Butterflies

Happy Green Home

City life is hectic. How can city dwellers brighten up their days and relieve stress by bringing nature into their homes?

Impacted by the novel coronavirus epidemic, the Hong Kong Flower Show originally scheduled to be held from 12 to 21 March 2021 at Victoria Park was cancelled, in order to reduce social contacts and the risk of spreading virus in the community. To promote greening in a safe way, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) has launched the ”Happy Green Home” in September 2020, with some 3 000 DIY pot-plant gift packs distributed to the households of 20 estates participating the Community Greening Programme 2020/2021. With online pot-plant making video, residents can create a unique decorative plant pot to green their home in a distinctive way. Apart from bringing nature into city dwellers’ homes, the programme also brighten up their days with stress relieved.

Making a Wheatgrass-headed Doll

To make a cute wheatgrass-head doll is easy. Simply reuse some leftover household items to create a quirky and special pot for a plant to liven up the space at home.

How to grow the plant

1. Put four-fifths of the potting soil in the flower pot

2. Lay the seeds flat in the flower pot

3. Cover the seeds with the remaining one-fifth of the soil

4. Water the soil surface evenly until water comes out of the bottom of the flower pot

Seed germination diary

Day 1

Day 3 – Seeds have germinated

Day 5

Day 7 – Time for trimming

How to care for the plant

1. To keep the soil moist, gently water the plant every 2 to 3 days to ensure the potting soil is fully hydrated.
2. Place it beside a window with sufficient lighting to promote plant growth.

Decorating tips

• Choose an old pot of appropriate size and paint it with colours, then draw patterns or write blessing words on the pot as the doll's clothes.
• Tie knots on both ends of a hemp rope to form the dolls arms and legs.
• Reuse some leftover household items for the dolls accessories (e.g. a necklace, a bowknot, etc.).

Video of making a wheatgrass-headed doll

Floral Delights amid the Epidemic

Impacted by the novel coronavirus epidemic, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced in early February the cancellation of the Hong Kong Flower Show 2020 originally scheduled to be held from 6 to 15 March at Victoria Park, in order to reduce social contacts and the risk of the spread of the virus in the community. The potted flowers (about 13 000 plants) formerly intended for display at the Flower Show were then promptly distributed to more than 40 housing estates of the Housing Department (HD) by its Horticulture Unit. Such a move is not only environmentally-friendly, but also helps beautify the surroundings. Estate residents staying at home are cheered up by the arrays of heartwarming flowers amid the epidemic.

The floral delights are attractive and uplifting. In our fight against the epidemic, let us remain united and we will surely overcome the adversity.

Tsz Man Estate

Budding Rhododendron celebrates the arrival of spring.

Budding Rhododendron celebrates the arrival of spring.

Tak Long Estate

Blossoms of Rainbow Pink [Dianthus chinensis] form a beautiful tapestry.

Yellow Marguerites [Argyranthemum frutescens] complemented by the purplish Dianthus around an art sculpture, offering a feast for the eyes.

The refreshing and delightful scent of Osmanthuses fills the air.

Choi Yuen Estate

Upright pinkish purple Foxgloves [Digitalis purpurea] adorned with brilliant Rainbow Pinks [Dianthus chinensis] greet the residents on their way.

Tsz Lok Estate

Blushing Bromeliads enliven the estate with a bold colour.

Tsz Hong Estate

Purplish blue Glory Bushes [Tibouchina semidecandra] accompanied by Jaburan Lily-turfs [Ophiopogon jaburan] bring serenity to a relaxing corner.

Hong Kong Flower Show 2019 “My Dream Home” Honoured with Gold Award for Outstanding Exhibit (Landscape Display)

The Housing Department (HD) has actively participated in the annual Hong Kong Flower Show by designing for this year's event a “My Dream Home” garden, which echoes the theme of the Show – “When Dreams Blossom”. The landscape design has proudly won the Gold Award for Outstanding Exhibit (Landscape Display).

My Dream Home garden invites visitors to a wonderful journey along a star-studded walkway flanked by colourful arches. At the centre of the garden is a carved wishing ball that fuels visitors’ imagination of their dream homes. The sky lanterns greet their onlookers with good wishes. A cart made of recycled wood at the entrance finds itself brimming with boxes of gifts and people’s hope and aspirations. Inside the cart are also balloon decorations celebrating the overwhelming joy of a dream coming true.

Fairytale cottages welcome visitors to a tranquil and relaxing space. A few steps away stands a wishing tree brightened up by a rainbow bridge over a sea of dazzling flowers, adding life and vibrancy to the entire place. Richly planted with a wide variety of flowers, the display area offers a kaleidoscope of colours and texture, enticing visitors to an amazing fairyland. Next to the cottages is a little garden plot with a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables, blending well with tree-like structures inside the garden made of recycled wood and plants. A star-shaped flowerbed makes a perfect foil for the 3D logo of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), which gives the garden a luminous glow.

The HD's My Dream Home garden wins the Gold Award for Outstanding Exhibit (Landscape Display).

A carved wishing ball at the centre of the garden.

A fairytale cottage.

The illuminated 3D HA logo adorned with a sea of dazzling flowers.

Hong Kong Flower Show 2018 “Fun @ Home” Honoured with Gold Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display)

The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), an active participant of the annual Hong Kong Flower Show, has designed for the event of 2018 a Fun @ Home garden, which echoes the theme of the show – “Joy in Bloom”. The landscape design has proudly won the Gold Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display).

Fun @ Home depicts the HA’s people-first commitment to providing homes for the public in where to live and to enjoy their lives. The garden invites visitors to a sea of dazzling Dahlias through colourful arches, a fun experience for exploring the vibrancy and delightful scenery along the way.

The path to the garden is flanked by an array of flower-covered arches in vibrant colours which not only depicts the outline of a house but indeed represents the upper part of the Chinese character “home” (家). The archway is designed to make visitors feel at home, filled with joy and pleasure. Artificial panels in a variety of shapes and forms made from recycled wood fuel their imagination as they resemble the Lion Rock. A plant sculpture at the centre of the landscape highlights one of the HA’s core values to put people first. There come various environmental-friendly designs, such as vertical green panels, bamboo lighting, bioswales and a zero irrigation system. Childhood toys and games are offered at the house in green for amusement and entertainment. Next to the house is a garden with a rich variety of fruits and vegetables, adding freshness and vitality to the scene.

The HA's Fun @ Home garden wins the Gold Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display)

Colourful arches leading to the garden.

Childhood toys and games are offered at the house in green of the garden.

Hong Kong Flower Show 2017 “Love @Home” Honoured with Gold Award for Unique Feature (Landscape Display)

The Housing Department (HD), an active participant in the annual Hong Kong Flower Show, has designed for this year's event a “Love @Home” garden, which echoes the show’s theme “Blossoms of Love”. The landscape design has proudly won the Gold Award for Unique Feature (Landscape Display).

A cottage surrounded by a myriad of flowers and trees is the heart of the garden, creating a warm and cosy ambience. The garden takes on various colours under sunlight and in dim light, visitors immerse themselves in its beauty at different times of the day.

The modern Tree of Love next to the entrance leads visitors to the garden through a colourful arch. Strolling along the heart-shaped path, visitors will be amused by a green panel, a colossal flower tree in an array of colours, together with a variety of roses and beautiful flowers in full bloom. The centre is a globe framed by flowers in heart shape, representing love in different forms from all over the world. When the sun sets, the cottage under the stars is filled with love and warmth.

“Love @Home” demonstrates the commitment of the Hong Kong Housing Authority to Hong Kong people by providing homes in a pleasant environment and facilitating them to live in love and peace.

The HD's “Love @Home” garden wins the Gold Award for Unique Feature (Landscape Display).

The modern Tree of Love next to the entrance creates love and warmth.

The HD's “Love @Home” garden.

HKHA Display for Hong Kong Flower Show (2008-2016)

Year		2016
Theme of HKFS		Blossoms in Vivid Art 2016
Theme Flower		Antirrhinum majus
Theme of HA		Art of Living @Home
HKFS Award received		Gold Award for Unique Feature (Landscape Display)

Year		2015
Theme of HKFS		When Blossoms Dance
Theme Flower		Oncidium
Theme of HA		Home of Dancing Flowers
HKFS Award received		Grand Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display)

Year		2014
Theme of HKFS		Blossoms of Joy
Theme Flower		Kalanchoe
Theme of HA		Home Sweet Home
HKFS Award received		Gold Award for Outstanding Exhibit (Landscape Display)

Year		2013
Theme of HKFS		Kaleidoscope of Spring
Theme Flower		Dendrobium
Theme of HA		Homes of Blossoms
HKFS Award received		Gold Award for Outstanding Exhibit (Landscape Display)

Year		2012
Theme of HKFS		Floral Delights
Theme Flower		Hyacinth
Theme of HA		Floral Tour
HKFS Award received		Gold Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display)

Year		2011
Theme of HKFS		Symphony of Spring Flowers
Theme Flower		Primula
Theme of HA		Green Delights at Home
HKFS Award received		Gold Award for Outstanding Exhibit (Landscape Display)

Year		2010
Theme of HKFS		Fairy Tale of Flowers
Theme Flower		Cineraria
Theme of HA		Dream Home
HKFS Award received		Gold Award for Unique Feature (Landscape Display)

Year		2009
Theme of HKFS		Blossoming Welcome for the East Asian Games
Theme Flower		Cosmos
Theme of HA		Harmonious Garden
HKFS Award received		Grand Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display)

Year		2008
Theme of HKFS		Vibrant Blossoms for Beijing Olympics
Theme Flower		Gerbera
Theme of HA		Green Green Garden of Home
HKFS Award received		Gold Award for Design Excellence (Landscape Display)