In Chinese gardens, traditional ornamental patterns are in abundance. Patterns indicating auspiciousness are often evident on roofs, brims of eaves, gate towers, windows with ornamental frames and even on the paving of the ground, in the forms of carving, colored painting, mosaic and multiple varieties of other forms. In these patterns, ornamental plants are abundantly used, in harmony with the natural landscape in the gardens, creating an exceptional aesthetic atmosphere.

Usually there are two ways in which plants are used as auspicious patterns: one is to use the symbolic meanings of plants, which usually originates from the personalized characters, or the myths and legends of plants. The other is to use the plants whose names are homophones of the words bearing auspicious meanings.

The regularly used plants are as follows:

1. Lotus: The lotus is also called the lotus flower. On loving lotus written by Zhou Dunyi says lotuses are not dirty although born in mud and not coquettish although bathing in ripples of water, so lotuses can symbolize chasteness and nobleness. The word green lotus has the same pronunciation with the word incorruptness in Chinese, qinglian. Therefore, the pattern with the most incorruptness formed by lotuses symbolizes having high official titles without embezzlements and incorruptness; lotuses are often used to praise honest and incorruptible officials. Lotuses also symbolize love, so the pattern of lotuses with a shared pedicel formed by one peduncle and two flowers symbolizes devotion between husbands and wives and happiness.

2. Peony: The peony is the king of flowers. Because of the verses written by Li Zhengfeng in the Tang Dynasty that the celestial fragrance permeates clothes in the evening and the most beautiful color in the country is intoxicating in the morning, peonies were complimented by posterity that they have a celestial fragrance and the most beautiful color in the country, and symbolize elegance and stateliness, prosperity and growth. Peonies and the auspicious phoenix bird form the pattern of the phoenix playing in peonies. Peonies are put in ancient pots with branches of pines and narcissuses, formatting the pattern of the joint celebration of the immortal, and pots symbolizing the joint celebration of auspiciousness, the prosperity of the country and the safety of the people. Peonies with Chinese flowering crab apples, magnolia denudate, form the pattern of the jade hall, riches and honor, and with weed vines, form the pattern of riches and honor of all generations, etc.

3. Plum blossom: Plum blossoms face the frost dauntlessly and stand in snow disdainfully, symbolizing the spirit of persistence and non-compromise. Plum blossoms are nominated as three friends of winter with pines and bamboo, and as four gentlemen with orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemums. In some patterns, the homophones are used. For instance, they form the pattern of joy appearing between eyebrows with magpies, and form the pattern of harmonious happiness with lilies.

4. China rose: Yang Wangli complimented China roses with "it is thought that flowers could not be in full bloom for more than ten days; however China roses show off their blossoms every day". Therefore, China roses are considered an auspicious symbol because they bloom all year round. Patterns often show four China roses standing for the four seasons; for example, four China roses are put in the vase, symbolizing safety though all four seasons. China roses are enclosed by uninterrupted S-shaped traditional patterns standing for things to go as one wishes, symbolizing everything to go as one wishes through all four seasons.

5. Lily: The name of Lily has the sense of harmonious marriage lasting a hundred years and the sense that everything goes well in Chinese. When lilies are put with persimmons and oranges, their homophones are used to symbolize that everything is auspicious.

6. Peach: Peaches often symbolize longevity in patterns because of their relationship with the myth of the Queen Mother of the West. Peaches of immortality with bats, which is the homophone of fortune in Chinese, and clouds form patterns symbolizing the possession of fortune and longevity. Peaches with osmanthus fragrance, form patterns symbolizing infinite nobleness and life-span. Peaches with the eight talismans used by the Eight Immortals in the Chinese legend, form patterns symbolizing that the Eight Immortals send congratulations on birthdays.

7. Pomegranate: Pomegranates bear many seeds, which in Chinese traditional culture symbolizes abundant posterity and blossoming families. Pomegranates with bats form patterns symbolizing the more posterity, the more fortune.

There are also many other types plants used in auspicious patterns. For instance, maples with monkeys riding horses form patterns symbolizing the offering of high ranking official posts. Pines and cypresses form patterns symbolizing springs with both pines and cypresses. Calabashes and vines form patterns symbolizing fortune and salaries enjoyed by all generations.