What flowers are suitable for Zhangzhou
When the morning mist envelops the banks of the Jiulong River, the courtyards of Zhangzhou households are already blossoming with various flowers. This coastal city kissed by the Tropic of Cancer nurtures a unique horticultural culture with its warm monsoon climate. From the ancient courtyard to the modern balcony, the choice of plants is not only about aesthetic interest but also carries the wisdom of living in harmony with nature.
Uniquely advantageous planting environment
The dual gifts of the marine monsoon
The mild annual average temperature of 21℃ and the annual rainfall of 1600 millimeters make Zhangzhou a natural greenhouse for plant growth. However, the typhoon season from May to September, with the south ocean monsoon carrying heavy rain, also brings challenges to courtyard maintenance.
The diverse possibilities of microclimates
From the coastal sandy lands to the hilly red soils, Zhangzhou's complex topography creates diverse microenvironments. The coastal areas can try planting salt-tolerant bougainvillea, while the slightly higher altitude Nanjing mountains are suitable for cultivating高山 azaleas.
Preferred list of courtyard plants
The ever-blooming main flowers
Narcissus, Camellia sasanqua, and Ixora chinensis form the trinity of Zhangzhou courtyard flowers. Among them, Zhangzhou narcissus, with its unique carving techniques, can accurately control the blooming period around the Spring Festival, making it the first choice for the New Year's flowers.
Resilient varieties that withstand wind and rain
Cinnamomum camphora, Agathis, and other trees form the framework of the courtyard, with hibiscus and golden bell flowers as shrubs in the middle layer, and sunflowers and孔雀草 covering the ground, creating a staggered windbreak system.
Flexible options for container cultivation
Tropical flowers such as frangipani and ginger lilies can be grown in pot ways, creating a Southeast Asian style in the midsummer and easily moved indoors before the typhoon arrives.
The plant code of the city's totem
The cultural imprint of the City of Narcissus
From the narcissus bulbs brought by the Zhao family of the Song Dynasty to the carved narcissus now exported overseas, this flower has integrating into Zhangzhou's urban genes. The narcissus sea at the foot of Yuanshan Lake attracts millions of visitors every year.
The story of time under the camphor tree
The hundred-year-old camphor tree at the entrance of the old street witnessed the prosperity of the Maritime Silk Road. Its wood's insect-proof properties were once the best material for building ocean-going merchant ships, now serving as a guardian of the city's greenery.
Maintenance skills for extreme weather
The three-step flood prevention strategy in the rainy season
Slope planting, ceramic bead padding, and drainage ditches form a three-dimensional flood prevention system. Reinforce tall plants like bougainvillea with bamboo poles before the storm and promptly spray with carbendazim after the storm to prevent diseases.
Emergency plan for the typhoon season
Establish an emergency档案 for flowers, marking the wind resistance level. Potted plants within the secondary wind circle are moved提前, and the ground plants are securely fixed with fishing nets, while precious orchid plants are moved to rainproof sheds.
In this land spoiled by flowers and fruits, every plant is a medium for the dialogue between man and nature. When the fragrance of narcissus mixed with the scent of camphor trees drifts through the streets, Zhangzhou people write a poetic chapter of coexistence with plants with their horticultural wisdom that has been passed down for thousands of years.