What flowers are suitable for growing in Gannan
Situated on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture boasts a unique plateau climate that nurtures diverse plant communities. The low annual average temperature and significant day-night temperature differences have created a natural paradise for cold-resistant plants. This article will explore the survival wisdom and cultural charm of plateau flowers.
Gannan Plateau Climate and Plant Characteristics
Double Challenge of Light and Temperature
With 2100-2700 hours of intense sunlight annually and extreme low temperatures of -20°C, a special plant selection mechanism has formed. High UV radiation prompts flowers to evolve more vibrant colors, such as the deep blue of Gentiana and the bright red of Lycoris.
Unique Water Supply Pattern
Although the annual precipitation reaches 600mm, it is concentrated in the July-August monsoon period, and plants must have the ability to store water in the short term. The sword-shaped leaves of Iris lactea and the fleshy roots of Salvia milii are both survival strategies for coping with alternating wet and dry conditions.
Recommended List of Flowers Suitable for Gannan
Cold-Resistant Pioneer Plants
Hypericum perforatum can survive at -30°C, with its pinnate leaves reducing water evaporation; Caragana rosthornii grows prostrate to resist strong winds, and its purple butterfly-shaped flowers form a unique plateau flower carpet.
Species Adapted to Strong Light
The silver-white绒毛 of the leaves of Ajania tatarica can reflect UV rays, while marigolds adjust their exposure time by opening and closing day and night, and peonies develop waxy leaf surfaces to cope with strong radiation.
Ornamental and Economically Useful Types
Honeysuckle can be used as a vertical greenery plant, and its flower buds are a traditional Tibetan medicine raw material; Wisteria, with its 2-meter-long inflorescences, forms a natural pergola that provides both shade and ornamental value.
The Symbol of the City: Gesang Flower
As the city flower of Gannan, the Gesang flower (a plant of the Chrysanthemum genus) has a high degree of unity between its ecological characteristics and cultural connotations: • Bloom period of 120 days, from early summer to the first snow • A single plant can produce 3000 seeds, symbolizing the proliferation of life • Petals change their opening angle with the intensity of sunlight • Represents the national spirit of resilience and hope in Tibetan culture
In terms of courtyard landscaping, it is recommended to use stepped planting: arrange Saussurea involucrata in the foreground at 15-30cm, combine it with 60cm tall Aster erucifolius in the middle layer, and plant 1.5-meter-high Wisteria sinensis in the background to create a three-dimensional landscape. Regularly applying decomposed cow and sheep dung can improve soil structure, and using drip irrigation technology can cope with uneven rainfall. Through scientific selection and reasonable allocation, a plateau garden can also burst with colorful blooms.