By Hu Min

When botanical science meets everyday aesthetics, it sparks a unique fusion of nature and creativity!

The flagship store of Shanghai Botanical Garden in Xuhui District opened on Friday, serving as a warm-up for the upcoming 2026 Shanghai International Flower Show.

The store infuses poetic beauty, scientific rigor and exquisite craftsmanship into about 100 cultural and creative products, creating a miniature plant aesthetics gallery for local residents and tourists.

Stepping into the store, visitors will be greeted by a miniature plant gallery designed with the inspiration of "growing greenery." The interior extensively uses natural wood, live plants and soft natural light, crafting an open, vibrant and immersive atmosphere. Every product in the store tells a story of the garden, featuring its signature plant IPs, classic elements of the Shanghai International Flower Show, Shanghai-style cultural creativity and cutting-edge botanical technology.

On the opening day, an embroidered refrigerator magnet featuring Yulania zenii, a key rare and endangered species under conservation at Shanghai Botanical Garden, made its debut to the public.

It is an endemic rare plant in China, on the brink of extinction due to weak reproductive capacity and habitat destruction. Only 145 wild flowering individuals of its natural population are recorded, making it as precious as the giant panda in the plant kingdom. In 2017, the garden introduced the first batch of five plants. After nearly a decade of conservation, research and propagation, these plants now thrive, forming the first stable ex-situ population of Yulania zenii in Shanghai.

The embroidered refrigerator magnet replicates the flower's petals and shape with delicate silk threads, and adopts a vase shape — similar in color to magnolia and representing cherished items. The gentle, smooth vase lines and layered, gradient embroidery create an elegant texture.

The store houses about 100 cultural and creative products, selected in line with the philosophy of healing plant aesthetics, collectible natural art and experiential plant science. The products integrate the garden's more than half a century of scientific research heritage and cultural inheritance, covering diverse scenarios including daily use, collection and commemoration, science education, and stress relief.

Here, you will also find warm and healing plush plant series, soothing nut shell rattle series, handmade products with natural plant scents and imprints, and creative goods made from real plants. Each product showcases the beauty of life, artistic charm and scientific fun of plants.

Each piece of the fingertip embroidery series is meticulously hand-embroidered to replicate the delicate veins of plants, while transforming the healing power of plants into soft tactile experiences, the plush potted plant series is modeled after sunflowers, dandelions, bamboo and other plants, bringing warm and comforting companionship.

The real plant handmade series preserves real life as eternal art. Selected plant leaves, petals and seeds are dried, pressed and sealed to make bookmarks, specimen paintings, acrylic ornaments and more. Each vein and flower shape is unique.

The nut shell and seed series tells the story of life cycles with natural "residues." Made from nut shells and fruit seeds combined with modern design, the series includes rattles, accessories and other creative goods. Each seed, once the start of a new life, continues the wisdom and beauty of nature in a new form.

Herbal aroma bead bracelets blend oriental incense culture with plant healing. Made from ground and blended herbal ingredients such as agarwood, sandalwood and menthol, the handmade aroma beads are strung into bracelets and pendants.

In addition, the store offers a wide range of daily necessities including refrigerator magnets, pendants, hand towels, coasters and flower vessels, all inspired by the shape, structure and color of various plants. Every detail stems from careful observation of plants and artistic transformation, together forming a "plant cultural and creative museum."

The store will collaborate with local Shanghai designers, intangible cultural heritage inheritors and young artists to launch themed pop-ups, handmade workshops and artist co-branded projects in conjunction with horticultural exhibitions, science popularization activities and traditional festivals.