The peony, a beautiful legend in Chinese gardens, is hailed as the national flower, and its annual exhibitions attract numerous tourists. But did you know? What exactly is a peony? Is it a herbaceous plant or a shrub? Today, we will unveil the mystery of the peony and explore its true identity.
Basic Information on the Peony
The peony (scientific name: Paeonia suffruticosa), also known as Chinese peony or Sichuan peony, belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with thick fleshy roots, leathery leaves, and large, beautiful flowers in various colors such as red, pink, white, yellow, and purple.
Classification of the Peony
According to the principles of botanical taxonomy, plants can be divided into two main categories: herbaceous and woody plants. From this perspective, the peony is actually a woody plant.
Growing Environment of the Peony
The peony prefers a warm, moist, and well-draining environment. The optimal growing temperature is around 20°C. It is not cold-hardy and is also drought-sensitive.
Cultivation of the Peony
Cultivating peonies requires attention to certain details, such as selecting the right soil, fertilizing, and pruning.
Propagation of the Peony
The peony can be propagated by two methods: seed propagation and cutting propagation. Among these, seed propagation is more difficult.
Medicinal Value of the Peony
Both the peony flower and the root of the herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora) have certain medicinal values. For example, they can be used to treat gynecological diseases such as dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation.
Cultural Status of the Peony
The peony holds a very important position in Chinese culture and is hailed as the national flower. It is seen as a symbol of elegance, beauty, and prosperity.
Artistic Value of the Peony
As one of the elements of traditional Chinese culture, the peony also holds a significant place in the arts. Many scholars and artists have a deep affection for poems, calligraphy, and paintings featuring the peony.
Legends of the Peony
The beauty and magic of the peony have given rise to many legends. For instance, there are classic verses such as "The flower blooms to see the Buddha," "The flower falls in silence," and "The flower scatters on its own, the water flows on its own."
Landscape Gardening Value of the Peony
The peony is an indispensable element in traditional Chinese gardens. Whether it's rockeries, ponds, or small bridges and flowing water, they are all closely related to the peony.
Varieties of the Peony
Currently, there are more than 5,000 known varieties of peony worldwide, including many famous ones such as "Peony of Wealth and Honor" and "Huashan Peony."
Appreciation of the Peony
Appreciating peonies requires attention to multiple aspects such as flower shape, color, and condition. Additionally, details like variety identification and layered arrangements should be noted.
Peony Exhibitions
Every spring, peony exhibitions are held all over the country, attracting a large number of tourists to admire them. Among them, the Longmen Grottoes Peony Garden in Luoyang and the Zhongshan Park Peony Garden in Qingdao are the most famous.
Conservation of the Peony
Currently, the peony has become a rare plant and needs protection. We can start with aspects such as in-situ conservation, rational use, and scientific research.
Future of the Peony
As one of the elements of traditional Chinese culture, the peony needs to be further promoted and developed. In the future, we should better protect and utilize this precious resource to play a greater role in culture and the economy.
The peony is neither a complete herbaceous plant nor a complete woody plant. It is a perennial shrub. Whether in culture, art, landscape gardening, or medicine, the peony holds an important position. In protecting and utilizing this precious resource, we should strengthen scientific research and approach it from multiple aspects to create more value for the future development of the peony.