What flowers are suitable for Wuwei
In Wuwei City, located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, the unique geographical location has created a typical temperate continental arid climate. The annual precipitation of 212 millimeters is in sharp contrast to the evaporation of over 2000 millimeters, with severe cold in winter and high temperatures in summer alternating, presenting unique challenges for plant growth. Understanding the local climate and the compatibility of plants is the key to creating green spaces in the city.
Survival rules for plants in arid climates
Extreme temperatures and water control
The average annual temperature of 7.7℃ conceals the drastic fluctuations from -20℃ to 35℃, and the 171 frost-free days require plants to have dual resistance. The arid environment with soil moisture content often below 15% selects special varieties with waxy epidermis or succulent water storage tissues.
Cultivation solutions for suitable flowers
Preferred varieties for open-air courtyards
In municipal greening practice, 36 types of weather-resistant plants have been selected: woody plants are represented by pearl bush (tolerant to -30℃) and purple syringa (drought resistance index ★★★★); the herbaceous plants such as dahlia (tolerant to barren soil) and hollyhock (tolerant to salt and alkali) stand out. The perennial flowers such as coreopsis and trumpet creeper form a three-dimensional landscape, with the blooming period extending from April to October.
Microclimate control indoors
The potted plant system can break through regional restrictions, with artificial lighting extending the light duration to 14 hours/day, and配合陶粒基质混合配方 (peat: perlite: vermiculite = 3:1:1) to achieve a survival rate of 85% for tropical flowers such as orchids. It is recommended to set up an automatic irrigation system to maintain 60% air humidity.
Interpretation of the city's ecological名片
The ecological value of dahlias
As the city flower, dahlias have been cultivated in Wuwei for over 130 years. Their tuber structure can survive through the winter underground, and they bloom continuously from June to October. The large-scale planting around the Jinta Temple has formed a "Silk Road Flower Sea" landscape, with an annual carbon sequestration of 3.2 kg per plant, combining ornamental and ecological functions.
The protective benefits of Chinese scholar trees
The Chinese scholar tree, the city tree, has built a green backbone for the city, with 14 main roads forming a 5.6-kilometer long corridor of scholar trees. This species is highly drought-resistant, with an annual dust fixation of 4.5 tons/hecatare, and the honey secreted by the pagoda flowers in July constitutes a characteristic agricultural product.
In the construction of water-saving garden cities, Wuwei has formed a three-dimensional planting mode of "trees for shade + shrubs for soil consolidation + ground cover for moisture retention." By selecting suitable varieties and using drip irrigation technology (water saving 40%), the urban green coverage rate has been increased to 38.6%, providing a model for ecological construction in arid urban areas in the northwest.