Why are peonies and Chinese peonies always planted together? Why is it that peonies and Chinese peonies are always planted together?

Why Peonies and牡丹 Are Often Planted Together

This article provides insights into why peonies and 牡丹 are frequently planted together in the field of horticulture, with detailed content to follow.

Why Peonies and牡丹 Are Often Planted Together

They belong to the same family and genus, both being plants of the Paeonia genus in the Paeoniaceae family. People plant peonies and牡丹 together, allowing them to "grow and thrive together" for a reason. Not only can it extend the blooming period and increase ornamental value, but it also facilitates cross-pollination and the creation of new hybrid varieties. Additionally, it adds a sense of novelty, enhances the visual effect, and increases the enjoyment of guessing and appreciating the flowers.

Peony Flowers

There is a saying among the people that peonies and牡丹 are of the same ancestral line, with peonies appearing first, followed by牡丹.

Without peonies,牡丹 may not bloom vividly and can only produce large and beautiful flowers when planted together with peonies.

Actually, this saying is unfounded. Although both peonies and牡丹 are plants of the Paeoniaceae family, many peony gardens do not plant peonies and still have colorful flowers.

Therefore, the notion that牡丹 cannot bloom well without peonies does not hold, so why do people still love to plant peonies and牡丹 together? There are actually other meanings involved.

I. The Relationship Between Peonies and牡丹

In ancient times, there was no specific name for牡丹, and whether it was a woody or herbaceous plant, it was collectively called peony. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that the woody peony began to be called牡丹. This means that they are of the same family and genus, both being plants of the Paeonia genus in the Paeoniaceae family.

In this sense, although牡丹 is known as the "King of Flowers," it is merely a "golden phoenix" that has flown out of the peony family, chosen for its woody characteristics because of its striking appearance.

Peony Flowers

II. The Benefits of Growing Peonies and牡丹 Together

In life, because peonies and牡丹 have the kinship of being "of the same family and genus," people often plant them together to let them "grow and thrive together." There are reasons for this.

1. Extend the blooming period and enhance ornamental value

Although peonies and牡丹 belong to the same family and genus, their blooming periods are not exactly the same.牡丹 blooms from April to May, while peonies bloom from May to June. Planting them together can extend the blooming period, maximizing their ornamental value.

2. Cross-pollinate and create new hybrid varieties

Although peonies and牡丹 are of the same family and genus, one is woody and the other is herbaceous, so for a long time, people believed that they could not produce new hybrid varieties.

However, in 1948, a Japanese horticulturist named伊藤 made the "impossible" a reality, successfully cultivating six new yellow varieties, which were called "伊藤Z varieties."

Moreover, these "Z varieties" quickly showed their unique advantages—vigorously growing, beautiful in shape, large and colorful flowers, and a longer blooming period.

With the astonishing transformation from "impossible" to "possible," people naturally had the idea of letting them "grow and thrive together," cross-pollinate, and create new hybrid varieties. Thus, they often plant them together to let them "grow and thrive together."

Peony Flowers

3. Increase novelty and enhance the visual effect

Although peonies and牡丹 are of the same family and genus, a careful observation will reveal differences in their stems, leaves, and flower shapes.

In terms of stems and branches, one is woody and the other is herbaceous, easily distinguishable. In terms of leaves,牡丹 leaves are large and lobed, while peony leaves are long and pointed. In terms of flower shapes,牡丹 flowers are slightly larger, with petals facing outward in a full bloom, appearing majestic and dignified. Peony flowers are slightly smaller, with petals facing inward, in a semi-closed state, looking subtle and graceful.

Planting them together will definitely give a different visual experience, effectively increasing novelty and enhancing the visual effect.

4. Increase the enjoyment of identification and appreciation

Both peonies and牡丹 are ornamental plants in gardens, belonging to the same genus, Paeonia, in the Ranunculaceae family. Their flower shapes and blooming periods are similar.

The blooming period of牡丹 is usually around mid-to-late April, while the blooming period of peonies is usually around mid-to-late May. The main reason why parks mix them together is to extend the period of appreciation and provide a better experience for flower viewing.

If it is a large-scale flower appreciation garden, planting peonies and牡丹 together not only extends the blooming period but also adds enjoyment to the identification and appreciation.

Because many people take advantage of holidays to bring their families, including children and even the elderly, out for fun, and in addition to viewing, they may play some identification games, adding a lot of fun!

The above is a specific introduction to why peonies and牡丹 are often planted together, for netizens to refer to and learn from.