Petals fall in mid-April.

The garden offers a peony party through May 3, offering a photo and painting exhibit titled the "King of Flowers."

Two ancient peony trees are awaiting adoption, each costing 3,000 yuan (US$428) for a year. The garden features various kinds of bamboo and the famous Nanxiang xiaolongbao snack.

Address: 218 Huyi Rd, Nanxiang Town, Jiading District

Tel: 5912-2225

Admission: 12 yuan

Gongqing Forest Park

The heavily forested park holds its annual flower show through June 1. Hundreds of different flowers blossom in turn, including the Chinese rose, chrysanthemums, peonies, lilies and tulips.

The park has around 220,000 tulips of 200 species.

Address: 2000 Jungong Rd

Tel: 6574-0586

Admission: 15 yuan

Shanghai Botanical Garden

The 2009 Shanghai Flower Show kicks off today at the Shanghai Botanical Gardens, with more than 3,000 varieties. Most exhibitions are World Expo-themed, such as "The Home of Haibao" (Expo mascot).

Visitors can vote for the flowers they would like to see in the Expo 2010.

The show features latest techniques in hydroponics - cultivating plants in a nutrient solution instead of soil. They will be featured in Expo decorations.

Address: 1111 Longwu Rd, near Baise Rd

Tel: 5435-512

Admission: 15 yuan

Century Park

Though the annual plum blossom exhibition is ending, more flowers are blooming. Purple orchids, golden rape flowers and pink cherry blossom cover 6,000 square meters. There's no fencing, so you can wade in.

Address: 1001 Jinxiu Rd, Pudong

Tel: 3876-0588

Admission: 10 yuan