“花香 huā xiāng” is floral scent, “伴山 bàn shān” is accompanying the hill. “伴” is partner or to accompany, and it has similar pronunciation with “半” that means half, semi, or in the middle, while “半山” is middle hill. 《花香伴山》literally means the blossom accompanying the hill. 

The underlying message is that the farmer is the one who accompanies the hill, while the hill is the lifelong guardian of the farmer.

Over centuries, there have been farmers living on Penang Hill. Farming on uplands is never easy. In days of old, when the climate was cooler, farmers mostly planted flowers, as harvesting flowers is lighter than fruits or vegetable crops. Nowadays, the demand for local flowers is less and not much profit is earned, so most of the farmers prefer to plant fruits. 

Growing up as the third generation of a farming family, Ivan has been helping at the farm since he was young. The vegetable farm was established by his grandfather, and in later years was expanded with the help of his father. Eventually, they started to plant flowers such as chrysanthemums, dahlias and roses.

Since graduating from college, Ivan has been working full time at the farm together with his parents, assisted by one to two foreign workers. After his father passed away a few years ago, his mother no longer stayed on the hill. Most of the time, he works at the farm on his own. Hence, he focused more on planting flowers. 

During Covid-19 lockdown period, Ivan explored a variety of ornamental plants and cultivated a nursery of these varieties. Recently, he cut down half of his roses which had been planted for more than a decade, planning to grow fruits such as ambarella, banana and soursop instead. 

Come rain or shine, he continues to work on the hillside farm everyday, delivering his harvest to foothill town on his motorbike. 

自升旗山開發以來，
定居山上的居民主要以農為生。
昔日天氣涼爽，
山農多數都是種花，
畢竟在山地耕種並不簡單，
比起蔬果，
採收花朵較為輕鬆。

目前，本地鮮花的需求日漸減少，
加上賣花的收益微薄，
栽種水果成了山農的首選。

許建宏是第三代的山農，
繼他的外公和父親之後，
堅守這一片祖父輩
揮灑汗水開闢的山地耕種。
早期，家裡的園地曾種過菊花，
後來因為氣候變暖
而開始改種大理花和玫瑰。

自學院畢業之後，
建宏和父母一起在園地務農，
當時也請了一、兩位移工當幫手。
前些年，他的父親逝世之後，
他的母親移居山腳。
平時，他多數獨自打理園地，
因此主要以種花為主。

在疫情的行動管製令期間，
建宏陸續接觸觀賞植物，
栽培不少新苗。
最近，他狠心砍下大部分
種植十多年的玫瑰老株，
準備種植沙梨、香蕉和紅毛榴蓮。

花香散去，
他依然風雨不改地在半山的園地耕作，
沿著崎嶇山徑，
把新鮮收成的農作物載往山腳小鎮。

A pail of roses

Roses that were harvested in the early morning. Though every rose has its thorn, the farmer’s fingers, scratched through time, fills the pail.

Bags of roses

Afterwards, farmers count and pack the roses, a hundred a bag, going onwards to those who take them to flower stalls around Ayer Itam and Farlim.

Smell the roses

Fresh roses have a very delicate floral scent. To preserve them, these roses would have to be dehydrated for long hours. Then they have an aroma reminiscent of floral tea.

Rose garland

Offering flowers is an important religious ritual. Flower garlands symbolise purity, passion and a bond of love. There is also a belief that they bring a fresh start in life.