Abstract:The rich diversity of garden plants is an important characteristic of Lingnan gardens. As a typical representative work of modern Lingnan gardens, studying the diversity of garden plants in Canton Orchid Garden has important guiding significance. The following conclusions were drawn through field investigation and data analysis in this article: The garden plants contained 208 documented species in Canton Orchid Garden, of which arbours are the majority, accounting for 52.40% of the total number of plants. The source of tree species in the orchid garden showed that native trees and exotic trees were equally important, and native plants accounted for 54.81%. The garden plants in Canton Orchid Garden are mainly for flower and fruit observation, including 64 species for flower observation and 31 species for fruit observation. The flowering period is concentrated in summer and the fruit period is concentrated in autumn. Based on the combination of importance values, relative significance, and relative abundance, the backbone ornamental trees in the Canton Orchid Garden are identifies as Camphora officinarum, Bombax ceiba, etc., while the basal trees are Caryota mitis , Heteropanax fragrans , etc. The extensive , application of these plants in Canton Orchid Garden reflected characteristics of the times from the 1950s to the early stage of reform and opening up, and generally presents the landscape keynote of lush flowers and fruits, big crown and thick shade, and tropical style.