As you have known, the art of gardening in Huế is very distinctive. It is nobly named the art of forest-garden, meaning the garden looks messy like the forest, with a high diversity of trees and plants, each has different biological characters, for different purposes, but all coexist in harmony. Regarding flowering plants, Huế people like Hoa Phượng the most (scientific name is Caesalpinia pulcherrima). It is easy to plant, grow in the tropical weather and can be used all year round to offer to ancestors or decorate the living room.
Hoa Phượng, has many names but flamboyant-de-jardin seems to be the most relevant to Huế people who like to use “cây nhà lá vườn” (lit. meaning trees, leaves grown from home garden), to place on ancestor’s altar as offering. Thus, Huế people also name it “Hoa Phượng Cúng” (flowers for worshiping). Worshiping Buddha and the ancestors is a very important and daily practice. The altars need to be well taken care of, hence a home grown flower will help saving a lot of money but still keep the altar fresh and lively.
Moreover, with creativeness and clever hands of Huế’s housewives, Hoa Phượng, with its beautiful inflorescence in yellow, red, orange becomes a striking ornamental plant. (Its other names are Peacock Flower, Red Bird of Paradise). When welcoming guests, Hoa Phượng helps the hosts to expresses Huê’s typical art of living “nghèo mà sang” poor yet elegant.
