Yunnan university grows roses, perfect for both viewing and eating
Pictured: the rose garden at Yunnan University. Photo by Chen Jing
Spring had just begun in April, and the tens of thousands of rose plants growing at the Chenggong campus of Yunnan University attracted many students and staff who came to admire and photograph them, making them a scenic spot on campus. Li Yong, director of the Yunnan University campus landscaping center, said that growing roses not only stabilizes the soil and prevents dust and beautifies the campus environment, but can also provide raw materials for the cafeteria to make pesticide-free flower cakes, so it truly serves both eating and viewing.
The reporter arrived at Yunnan University on the 26th, and before even entering the rose garden could smell wave after wave of floral fragrance. Tens of thousands of bright red roses attracted many students and teachers from the campus to come and take photos and admire the flowers, and quite a few photography enthusiasts also came here to shoot.
Li Yong introduced that the rose garden is one of Yunnan University's landscaping projects, covering 12 mu, with planting beginning in October 2015. It came into full bloom around April 15 this year, and the flowering period is expected to end at the end of May. The rose garden mainly grows the edible Dianhong rose and Damask rose. The Dianhong rose has a darker color and can be used to make tea and flower cakes, and has the effect of replenishing the body's moisture and detoxifying and beautifying the skin. The Damask rose is lighter in color and originated in Syria; it is a world-recognized premium rose variety, mainly used to extract rose essential oil.
"This plot of land is a high point on campus. In spring and autumn the wind is strong and can easily blow sand and dust into the campus. The original intention of planting roses was to stabilize the soil and prevent dust, green the campus, and at the same time provide teachers and students with a beautiful environment to delight body and mind." Li Yong said that besides beautifying the environment and stabilizing soil and preventing dust, the blooming roses can also provide the cafeteria with raw material for making flower cakes. "We never spray pesticides on our flowers, so teachers and students can eat them with confidence."
Pictured: staff at the Yunnan University cafeteria using petals from the rose garden to make flower cakes. Photo by Chen Jing
Yang Guisong, the person in charge of the flower cake sales window at the Yunnan University cafeteria, told the reporter that the rose garden sends fresh rose petals every day at a price of 30 yuan per 1 kg, and the flower cakes made with these petals as raw material are priced at 3.5 yuan each. "Our flower cakes are usually sold out by evening. A couple of days ago a teacher even ordered 50 and 100 at once, planning to take them home to give to relatives and friends during the May 1 Labor Day holiday. We couldn't even make them fast enough!"
"After learning there was a rose field here, many classmates who usually stay indoors all came to see it." Yu Chaobo, a junior at Yunnan University, said that this rose garden on campus has multiplied their sense of happiness. "It's very convenient and very happy. Sometimes when the pressure of studying gets heavy, you can come here to relax a bit. I guess this place will be a favorite dating spot for many campus couples!" (Chen Jing)