Gardens and pavilions revealing the biodiversity of Suzhou draw visitors during the Ninth Horticultural Exposition of Jiangsu province that runs throught May 10.[Photo provided to China Daily]

An ongoing horticulture exhibition in a city celebrated for its gardens has roots in the past yet sows seeds for the future.

It's like walking into a traditional Chinese painting of a traditional Chinese garden.

After all, horticulture is both an art and a science.

This dual personality is presented at the Ninth Horticultural Exposition of Jiangsu Province that ends on May 10. Over 20 gardens and 12 pavilions reveal the biodiversity of Suzhou, a city synonymous with Chinese gardening.

The feel that today's visitors are actually taking a stroll through an ancient scroll is no accident. Rather, it's the unfolding of the expo's official theme.