A set of ceramic cups with decorative patterns reflecting 12 varieties of flowers from the reign of Kangxi (1662-1722) in the Qing period.[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]

According to Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, it is the first comprehensive exhibition of cultural relics on this theme not only in the institution but also nationwide.

"With the in-depth research involved in our collection, we'd like to present a panorama of ancient Chinese people's understanding of the cultural significance of plants," he explains.

The exhibition in the Meridian Gate Galleries in the museum will run through October.

The exhibition hall displays a variety of styles. From sketches by court painters, who used exquisite and realistic approaches to unroll the marvel of nature, to highly expressive ink-water paintings by established gurus revealing their subtle emotions, different artistic schools blossom under the hall's roof.

"In ancient China, floral-themed paintings developed in two ways," Wang Zhongxu, a researcher at the Palace Museum and curator of the exhibition, says.

"On one hand, professional painters working for imperial courts preferred realistic styles, which are extraordinarily demanding on details.