Two Common Tree Peonies in China

Two Common Tree Peonies in China

1、 Plant morphology

Tree peony: The plant is tall and majestic, and can grow up to 4-6 meters high. The tree shape is divided into two types: solitary and clustered. Its root system is well-developed, and its vitality is tenacious. It can grow under various soil conditions, demonstrating strong adaptability and vitality.

Zhongyuan Peony: It belongs to small shrubs, generally growing up to about 1 meter in height, mainly clustered, with short and thick branches. Its stem is up to 2 meters high, and the surface of the leaves is green with a light green color on the back, showing a relatively compact plant morphology.

2、 Viewing characteristics

Tree peony: It has a variety of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, black, and multiple colors. Each petal base has colorful, shaped, and varied spots of different sizes, which increase its ornamental value. Its flowers are large and vibrant, with up to hundreds blooming at once, creating a strong visual impact.

Zhongyuan Peony: Equally vibrant in color and diverse in flower types, but in comparison, its number of flowers may not be as many as tree peonies. In addition, the Central Plains peony has a unique feature of hiding flowers at night during its growth process, where the flowers close at night.

3、 Fragrance and Usage

Tree Peony: Rich in floral fragrance, the fragrance of one peony can rival the fragrance of multiple peonies in the Central Plains. Its flowers can not only be admired, but also made into health tea, and its seeds can be used to make edible oil, with various practical values.

Zhongyuan Peony: Although it has bright colors, its fragrance may not be as strong as tree peonies. It is mainly used for ornamental and horticultural greening, and also has certain medicinal value.

4、 Growth environment and adaptability

Tree peony: resistant to cold and drought, able to withstand temperatures as low as minus 43 degrees Celsius, and can survive the winter naturally without artificial protection. It is suitable for planting in the northeast, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Shanxi, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xizang, Gansu and other northern cold regions. At the same time, it has strong drought resistance and can still grow strong in arid areas with an annual precipitation of less than 300 millimeters.

Zhongyuan peony: prefers a mild, cool, and sunny environment, has a certain degree of cold resistance, but is more suitable for the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and warm areas in the south compared to tree peonies. It is slightly tolerant to semi yin, suitable for high dryness, avoid damp heat, and requires loose and deep soil.

5、 Planting and maintenance

Tree peony: Due to its strong adaptability and vitality, planting is relatively easy. But it is also important to choose soil with good drainage and sufficient sunlight exposure. During the maintenance process, it is necessary to regularly water, fertilize, and prune to maintain its good growth condition.

Zhongyuan Peony: Planting and maintenance are relatively refined. It is necessary to choose suitable soil and environmental conditions, and pay attention to controlling the amount of watering and fertilization to avoid overgrowth or the occurrence of pests and diseases. At the same time, regular pruning and shaping are also necessary to maintain its beautiful plant shape.