A flowering of imagination

With a pair of scissors, a couple of rubber bands and ribbons, Liang Qinzhang can turn twigs, branches and flowers into a cornucopia of bliss.

The man in his 60s demonstrated traditional flower arrangement for gardening enthusiasts in Beijing during Spring Festival in late January.

"As Chinese tradition goes, I use wintersweet and magnolia, whose blossoms herald good fortune, as well as lily to mean harmony and happiness," Liang explains.

"They are paired with pine and cypress, both of which symbolize longevity and vitality," he adds.

Chrysanthemum and camellia were also added as a foundation for the artwork to enrich the content and ensure balanced aesthetics.

"They are all auspicious plants and can be combined to please the eye," Liang says.

There's method in the seemingly random arrangement under Liang's hands, as he managed to deliver two pieces of stunning flower arrangement works in half an hour, one in a tall green vase and one on a dark blue plate.