What Flowers are Suitable for Nantong
Strolling through the streets and alleys of Nantong, one can always encounter colorful flowers swaying gracefully in courtyard balconies. This ecological city at the mouth of the Yangtze River, with its advantageous geographical environment, nurtures a rich variety of plant communities. Let's explore the courtyard flowers suitable for Nantong's climate and decipher the ecological code behind the city's flower and tree.
Nantong Climate and Plant Growth Characteristics
The Mild Monsoon Nurtures Plants
Situated in the humid sub-tropical zone of northern China, Nantong has an average annual temperature of about 15°C and an annual precipitation of about 1100 millimeters. The distinct four seasons provide a natural greenhouse for plants. Spring warms up quickly, with forsythias blooming as early as March; the hot and humid summer lasts for four months, with special attention needed for drainage during the plum rain season in June and July; the autumn has significant day-night temperature differences, which is beneficial for chrysanthemum plants; the mild winter with little snow allows evergreen plants to overwinter outdoors.
Selected Guide to Nantong Courtyard Plants
Four-Season Viewing Plan
In spring, choose camellias, Japanese cherry blossoms, and peonies to create a sea of flowers, complemented by a wisteria pergola; in summer, recommend magnolias, gardenias, and hydrangeas for a cool greenery; in autumn, chrysanthemums, hibiscus, and liquidambar trees present a golden feast; in winter, wintersweet, nandina, and star anise maintain vitality in the courtyard. Particularly recommended are the moisture-tolerant Chinese trumpet creeper and Boston ivy, which can decorate walls and regulate humidity.
Special Combination Planting Techniques
It is suggested to adopt a three-dimensional combination of trees, shrubs, and ground cover: magnolia (tree layer) - camellia (middle shrub layer) - Ophiopogon japonicus (ground cover plant). Near water areas can be planted with water-loving plants like iris and Thalia dealbata, while slopes can be combined with plants like forsythia and kerria japonica to form a disorderly ecological community.
Interpretation of the City's Ecological Business Card
Chrysanthemum: The Ecological Totem of the City of Longevity
As China's hometown of longevity, Nantong has had the chrysanthemum as its city flower since 1982. Exhibition sites like Qiu色 Garden and Tang闸 Park cultivate more than 300 varieties, including black chrysanthemum, green peony, and ten-foot bead curtain. It is recommended to plant small and medium-sized varieties like desk chrysanthemum and dwarf chrysanthemum at home, paying attention to water control in September to promote flower bud differentiation.
Magnolia: The Ecological Responsibility of Street Trees
There are 17 ancient magnolia trees over 100 years old in Nantong. Their leathery leaves can absorb dust, and the lotus-like white flowers blooming from May to June can purify the air. For newly planted trees, it is necessary to choose slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5 and to retain a protective circle eight to ten times the diameter of the soil ball during planting.
From city flowers and trees to courtyard plants, Nantong writes its ecological story with plants. By understanding the regional climate characteristics and properly combining trees, shrubs, and herbs, every citizen can create their own plant museum. In the golden autumn, you might as well visit the Nantong Chrysanthemum Exhibition to experience the ecological pulse of this riverside city amidst a sea of flowers.