The Fragrance of Tree Peonies Is Even Stronger

  The fragrance of tree peonies is even stronger

  Our tree peony is more fragrant than Chinese Heze tree peony, mainly due to its three advantages in variety characteristics, aromatic substance concentration, and environmental adaptability:

  Variety characteristics and aromatic substance concentration

  The concentration of volatile aromatic compounds in the petals of purple spotted peonies is significantly higher than that of Central Plains peonies. Some varieties, such as Buddha Head Golden Ivory, Ivory White, Blood Agate, etc., release more than ten times the intensity of fragrance from their flowers as Central Plains peonies. This difference is closely related to the physiological structure of the petals. The thick and delicate petals of the purple spotted peony are more conducive to the storage and release of aromatic substances, and the unique purple red patches (containing special aromatic components) at the base of the petals further enhance the aroma concentration.

  The influence of environmental adaptability on aroma accumulation

  Purple spotted peonies are native to the high-altitude regions of northwest China. They are drought resistant, cold resistant (able to overwinter naturally in low temperature environments ranging from -40 ℃ to -43 ℃), and tolerant to barrenness. Their roots can penetrate more than 10 meters underground. The survival ability in such extreme environments has led to the evolution of more efficient aromatic synthesis mechanisms to attract pollinating insects and resist adversity stress. In contrast, Central Plains peonies prefer warm and humid environments, and the synthesis of their aromatic compounds may be constrained by climatic conditions, resulting in lower aroma concentrations than Purple Spot peonies. 

  The role of cultivation history and artificial breeding

  The cultivation history of purple spotted peonies in places such as Lintao, Gansu can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, and long-term artificial breeding has strengthened their aroma characteristics. In recent years, among the 30-40 new varieties selected, most of them were screened based on their strong aroma, further enhancing the aroma performance of purple spotted peonies. For example, in the Lintao area, the aroma advantage of purple spotted peonies has been transformed into economic value through large-scale planting and deep processing. Its fresh cut flowers, tree peony seed oil and other products are all sold for their unique aroma.