To celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and create a grand and festive atmosphere, floral displays themed “Pursuing Modernization and Creating a Better Future” were arranged at Tian’anmen Square, along Chang’an Avenue and at major spots of Beijing, vividly showcasing the significant progress achieved over the past 75 years towards the goal of building China into a prosperous and strong country and the happy life of the Chinese people. Two new flower varieties, including “Cailing Rosy” and “Cailing Purple”, as part of the “Cailing” series of salvia splendens cultivated by BUA’s Scientific Research Team for Salvia Splendens Germplasm Collection and Breeding, were seen in the floral display themed “Innovative China” set up in the northeast corner of Dongdan and that themed “Garden-Like Commercial Circle” in the northwest corner of Xidan along Chang’an Avenue, marking a tribute paid by BUA teachers and students to the 75^th anniversary of PRC. This is another adoption of BUA’s new salvia splendens varieties of the floral displays arranged along Chang’an Avenue for the National Day holiday after 2022.

Originally from Brazil and other parts of South America, salvia splendens is now widely planted in courtyards, flower beds and floral displays. Seen as the biggest highlight in floral arrangements, it features rich colors of red, purple and white. The “Cailing” series of salvia splendens cultivated by BUA is not only characterized by strong resistance to heat and a plump shape, but also no need to remove its tender shoots, thus greatly reducing production and maintenance workload. It’s one of the fine varieties successfully cultivated by BUA’s scientific research team after 22 years of hard work. The two varieties of salvia splendens are cultivated in the science yard that BUA’s teachers established jointly with Beijing Dadi Julong Biotechnology Co., Ltd., and the organic fertilizer and substrate used are developed by the science yard under the support of BUA’s scientific research team.

BUA’s Scientific Research Team for Salvia Splendens Germplasm Collection and Breeding was set up in 2002. After over two decades of continuous efforts, the team has cultivated more than 200 varieties of salvia splendens that are of tall, medium and short types and come in nearly 20 colors. Compared with imported varieties, the new varieties are more resistant to heat and more diverse in types and colors. The “Cailing” series are highly branching salvia splendens that’s rare at home and abroad, including “Cailing Red”, “Cailing Purple”, “Cailing Rosy”, “Cailing Orange”, “Cailing White”, and “Cailing Light Purple”. After years of unremitting efforts, the team has expanded the new varieties of salvia splendens and their cultivating and breeding technology across Beijing and many other provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the State Council in China. These new varieties have grabbed amazing attention in nationwide landscaping settings, adding to the beauty and vitality of cities.

By far, the team has seen 27 varieties of salvia splendens and plants of the same genera recognized by the municipal government as fine varieties. Some varieties were debuted at large exhibitions, such as Beijing Expo 2019, China Flower Expo, and Beijing Spring Flower and Plant Exhibition, and won Gold, Silver or Bronze Award for Indoor Exhibits from Chinese Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities under the State Council at Beijing Expo, Award for Scientific and Technological Progress in Landscaping of Beijing, Award for Innovative Outcomes of China Industry-University-Research Institute Collaboration of Association, and Award for Scientific and Technological Progress of the 9th China Flower Expo, etc. These outcomes not only provide more choices for landscaping in Beijing and help make urban landscape more beautiful and ecologically efficient, but play a positive role in driving the building of ecological civilization in Beijing.

The team will thoroughly learn the guiding principle of the Third Plenary Session of the 20^th CPC Central Committee. Under the strong leadership of BUA’s Party committee, it will further align with national strategies and the development needs of Beijing in the new era, enhance research capacity and improve services for the society, so as to develop more salvia splendens varieties and thus contribute to building a garden-like Beijing and a beautiful China.