Chinese New Year Flower

Its common name is Chinese New Year Flower.  It is one of the best known flowering plants in Hong Kong.  It is called Tiu Chung (吊鐘) or Hanging Bell Flower because its clusters of flowers, which appear from the ends of the branches, hang down like small bells in cheerful pink and lovely shape in the early Spring.

It has long been used for decorative purposes in Chinese families as its flowering period coincides with the Lunar New Year Festival. It is a protected species under the Forestry Regulations in Hong Kong.

As there is still about three weeks to the Chinese New Year,  the Chinese New Year Flower Tree in The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is not in full blossom today.