What are the types of peonies?
Praised as the king of flowers, peonies are famous for their graceful and luxurious posture and rich variety system. From the imperial gardens of the Tang Dynasty to modern garden landscapes, peonies have always presented the aesthetics of Eastern floral art with their ever-changing flower shapes. This article will introduce you to the ten classic flower shapes of peonies and their representative varieties.
Appreciation of the nine classic flower shapes of peonies
Crown-shaped peony
Crown-shaped peonies, represented by Shou'an Hong and Yao Huang, have outer petals that unfold like canopies, and inner petals that gather in layers to form a crown structure. The characteristic of degenerate pistils makes the flower shape more dignified, and it was often offered as a tribute to the royal family during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Platform series peony
It includes two types: Qianceng Platform and Louzi Platform. Qianceng Platform, such as Shouxing Hong, has a stepped petal arrangement, while Yulou Diancui and other Louzi Platform types show a distinct height difference, suitable for creating a three-dimensional flower scene.
Single-petal peony
What are the types of peonies?
The single-petal variety represented by Fengdan Bai retains the original genetic characteristics, with 5-8 petals naturally unfolding, and the blooming period is 7-10 days earlier than that of double-petal varieties, making it an important parent material for breeding new varieties.
Analysis of characteristic flower shapes of peonies
Lotus-shaped peony
Varieties like Luoyang Hong look like lotuses in water when they bloom, with a diameter of up to 25 centimeters, and the petals are delicate as silk, making them best observed when the morning dew has not yet dried.
Hydrangea-shaped peony
Varieties like Yinfen Jinlin have formed a spherical flower crown through genetic improvement, with the blooming period extended by 5-7 days compared to traditional varieties, especially suitable for cut flower cultivation.
Golden ring peony
Varieties like Zhusha Hong form a distinct golden ring around the stamen group, and this special structure requires specific temperature and humidity conditions to be perfectly presented.
From the simplicity of single-petal beauty to the complexity of platform shapes, peonies have written miracles of floral forms through thousands of years of evolution. Understanding the morphological characteristics of different varieties not only enhances the viewing experience but also provides a scientific basis for garden configuration. With the development of breeding technology, more amazing peony varieties will surely emerge in the future.