Crabapple flowers, which are commonplace in Beijing, have been adored by Chinese people since ancient times. [Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/China Daily]

Initially, reforestation was only about planting poplars, but now green-space design focuses more on growing trees of different kinds and heights.

"The benefit is that we can see various flowers and trees in residential communities and public areas. People think it's important that their living environments are close to what it is like in nature," Shi says.

"It's our instinct to enjoy beautiful things, but the aesthetic preferences for different flowers change with time. For example, peonies were very popular in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), but nowadays many people favor lilies, (hybrid) roses and China roses."

He says there is more variety than ever before. Cultivated species from all over the world have been introduced to China, such as tulips and hyacinths.

"If you want to know more about flowers, it's best to invite professionals who study botany, especially if you're taking kids. They will tell you how to identify different flowers, their characteristics and species, and tell interesting stories."