BEIJING -- Nearly 1,000 pots of fine orchids are being exhibited at the International Pavilion of the ongoing Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition.

The award-winning potted flowers were sent by 48 competitors from dozens of provinces, regions and municipalities at home as well as Japan, the Republic of Korea and other countries, according to the expo's coordination bureau.

A total of 322 gold, silver and bronze awards and 280 honorable mentions were awarded at the recently concluded Chinese and exotic orchids contest, the bureau said.

Horticulturists from Beijing Botanical Garden and the Chinese Academy of Forestry used orchids and other landscape gardening materials to show visitors the unique charm of orchids in landscaping.

In the expo's orchid display area, visitors can learn popular science and the history of Chinese orchid culture.

The flower exhibition will last until Sept. 16.

The horticultural expo in Beijing, themed "Live Green, Live Better," is open until Oct. 7 and features a vast collection of flowers, fruit trees, Chinese herbal medicines and plant landscaping techniques, as well as ideas for green development.