Shanghai will host China's first international competition of Mosaiculture - using plants to create sculptures and artistic scenes. The theme is "the earth, our village."

The competition in the Century Park in Pudong New Area will run from September 15 to November 30, covering 300,000 square meters.

"Mosaiculture" is a French term referring to the art of producing compositions from plants and flowers. Originating in 2000 in Montreal, Canada, International Mosaiculture is a living art competition and exhibition, blending horticulture, topiary and landscape architecture.

Entries are expected from 55 cities from 15 countries and regions, including Toronto, Paris and Athens. A total of 31 Chinese cities will attend the competition, including Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing and Tianjin, according the organizer.

Shanghai gardeners will compete, but host countries are barred from final competition as a courtesy to guests.

So far 17 cities have entered.

Shanghai is providing more than 4 million plants for the event. The plants must be native to the host city, a rule set by the International Mosaiculture Committee.

Each sculpture must be covered at least 80 percent with plants. Admission will be 35 yuan (US$4.37).

(Shanghai Daily June 24, 2006)