9. Other Tree Peony Cultivar Groups

Figure 9-2 Wild tree peonies covered by Platycladus orientalis in Yan ' an Wanhua Mountain

Figure 9-1 Overall View of Yan 'an Wanhua Mountain

Besides the 4 major tree peony cultivar groups introduced in former chapteres, there are small species group distributed in Yan' an, Exi and Cold Area.

9.1 Yan'an Tree Peonies

9.1.1 Distribution

Wild tree peonies had ever been wildly distributed in the forests in Yan' an and the nearby Shanbei Yellow Soil Highland and Longdong Yellow Soil Highland. Luoyang Mudan Ji written by Ou Yangxiu in Song Dynasty recorded that "wild tree peonies were so wildly distributed in the west of Yan and on the roads of Baoxie that they were just taken as common wild vegetations and were chopped for firewood. "During the Jiajing period (1522-1566) of Ming Dynasty, Yan ' an Fu Zhi also recorded that Fushi County (today' s Yan' an). Huazhuang of Ansai County, Yichuan County. All teemed with tree peonies, and the fragrance of them can fill the valley. To Qing Dynasty, some areas still preserved a comparatively bigger amount of wild tree peonies. According to the Hancheng Xian Xin Zhi referred by Shanxi Tong Zhi, "Mudan Mountain produced lots of tree peonies, when they were blooming, the whole mountain turned to red and purple with the fragrance pervading to 5 km away. The local people collected them as firewood. Besides, there were also a

Mudan Ping located on the northwest of Zhubei Village, where tree peonies were wildly distributed".

9.1.2 History

The cultivation of tree peony in Yan' an began since Bei Song Dynasty. Based on the records in Luoyang Mudan Ji written by Ou Yangxiu and Zhou Shihou respectively, at first ' Danzhou Hong' and ' Yanzhou Hong' were introduced from Yan' an and Yichuan to Luoyang. They were both "double flower and red colored".

179

Figure 9-3 Mountain Peony Garden of Wanhua Mountain,

After that, 'Danzhou Huang'("double and yellow") and 'Yu Zhengbing' ("double and white") were also introduced. In Luoyang, 'Yu Zhengbing'performed better than in Yanzhou. We can see there are already some flower colors, such as yellow, white and red, and the flowers are highly doubled. Besides Yan'an and Yichuan, the cultivation areas also include Ansai, Yanchang and etc. In Ansai, "the tree peony in Baigu Temple even grew into a tree"(Shanxi long Zhi, Yongzheng edition).

In Yan'an, Today's Wanhua Mountain, where many tree peonies are planted (Fig.9-1,9-2,9-3), is the "Mudan Mountain" descried in Yan 'an Fu Zhi. It is covered by secondary forest mainly composed of Platycladus orientalis (Chinese arborvitae), and some groups of Paeonia jishanensis and other tree peonies are distributed in the forest. Since Hongzhi period of Ming Dynasty (1488-1504), there were already many human activities. In the spring of Dingsi Year during Hongzhi period (1497), Li Yanshou came to Wanhua Mountain to view the flowers, and wrote two poems. In the foreword of the poems, he pointed out that Cui Fu Jun Temple had ever been built in the place where he appreciated flowers. Here Cui Fu Jun Temple was built based on a local folktale. In the folktale the daughter of Wangmu Niangniang, Si lie, descended to the earth and married the poor peasant Cui Wenrui. She also brought tree peony to the place. We can see that the human activities have influenced Wanhua Mountain for more than 500 years. Based on the species group of wild tree peonies, a small cultivar group which was partially under cultivation came into being. This is significative for the study of the origin of tree peony.

The result of textual research shows that in 756 A.D. in Tang Dynasty, Du Fu' s family had ever came to Qiang Village in Sanchuan County, Fuzhou (Today's Sanchuanyi, Fuxian County) to take refuge. They' d ever passed through Wanhua Mountain on their way to Ansai. To honor the memory of Du Fu, the valley that he passed

through was named "Du Fu Valley", In Bei Song, when Fan Zhongyan was appointed Jing Li Fu Shi (Title of a kind of government officer) of Shannxi which in charge of Yanzhou, he had ever noted to protect the tree peonies in Wanhua Mountain, and also did some practical work. After Ming Dynasty, in the 3rd year of Emperor Yongzheng' s reign (1725), Wu Rui, the administrant of Yan' an, had ever wrote a poem when he visited Du Fu Valley and Mudan Mountain (Wanhua Mountain) as "the famous flowers were as bright as silk in the April, and the deep forest and dense grass looked like mystery. Although these charming flowers were growing in the remote mountain, people would ride a horse to view them on time when they were blooming. The stone sculptures were surrounded by green water, and the thatched cottage in the history was ruined and only some birds were singing there. Ou Yangxiu had ever praised his travel here, and today two peoples from Jinming (Today' s Yan' an) also came", This poem described the Wanhua Mountain' s old scene of 280 years ago. After that, in the springs of 1939 and 1940, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De and other leaders of the central government visited Wanhua Mountain to view tree peonies, and also required the locals to protect this big natural garden (Liu etal. 1990).

9.1.3 Ecological Habits

The distribution area of Yan' an tree peony cultivars located in the warm temperate zone under semi-humid and a little arid climate, where annual average air temperature is 9.4 °C, the highest air temperature is 39.7°C, the lowest air temperature is -25.4°C and >10°C accumulated temperature is 3,268.4°C; annual precipitation is 550.0mm, annual evaporation is 1,585.9mm, and frost-free period is 180d. The soil types are dark loessial soil and yellow cultivated loessial soil developed from the yellow soil parent material, while the soil types in forestry areas are gray-cinnamon soil, gray yellow cultivated loessial soil and etc. The tree peonies living under this ecological situation belong to warm arid ecotype.

9.1.4 Species and Cultivar's Origins

Tree peony in Wanhua Mountain of Yan' an is a special group which has been concerned by domestic botanists and gardeners. The present writer had ever done field studies in Yan' an and nearby areas for two times in 1993 and 2001. Some views on the origin and classification of tree peonies in Wanhua Mountain of Yan' an were brought up as followings:

Yan'an Tree Peony Cultivars Compose a Semi-wild and Semi-Cultivated Group Whose Origin is Cross-breeding.

Wild tree peonies growing in Yan' an and nea rby areas have mainly two species:

Paeonia jishanensis It is just a very small species group in Wanhua Mountain, and another small group is in Tongchuan of South Shanbei. The flowers are small and white. The upper parts of filaments are white, middle and lower parts are purplish red;

180 Chapter 9 Other Tree Peony Cultivar Groups

Figure 9-5 Paeonia rockii in Ziwu Ling(pink flower with red heart type)

Figure 9-4 Paeonia jishanensis (Yan 'an Wanhua Mountain,

Figure 9-6 Paeonia rockii in Ziwu Ling (White flower type) Figure 9-7 Paeonia rockii in Yan 'an (White flower with red heart type)

stigmas and disc are purplish red. Leaflets are usually 9 and incised. This species has undergroud stem, so it can develop into a plant cluster by asexual propagation. The types under species haven' t been reported to be found elsewhere except Wanhua Mountain (Fig.9-4).

P. rockii subsp. taibaishanica

P. rockii is often distributed in the central part of the Ziwu Ling forest located in the common boundary of Shaanxi and Gansu. The flowers are big. Filaments, stigmas and disc are all light yellowish white. Leaflets are more than 15. This subspecies' leaflets are incised(Fig.9-6). Commonly, they don' t have under ground stems, but the relic is found on a small amount of plants. Some variance types found by Li Jiajue in Wanhua Mountain in Yan'an, Xiasi Wan in Ganquan, Zhangjia Forestry Center in Fuxian County and so on were enumerated as below:

—Red and pink flower type: the plants of this type have no difference with the original species, but only the color is different. Red flower type was found in Xiasi Wan in Ganquan County on the west of Wanhua Mountain in Yan' an (Fig.9-8), which is the first time to find in wild P. rockii group. However, the P. rockii group growing in Xiasi Wan is a mixed group, because red, pink and

white plants are found at the same time. Pink flower type was also found in the north part of Ziwu Ling forest.

—White flower with red heart type: this type is found in the bush of Platycladus orientalis forest in Wanhua Mountain in Yan' an. Before this, it is also found in Zhangjia Forestry Center in Fuxian County. The flowers are white, but filaments, stigmas and disc are all purplish red, leaflets more than 15 (Fig.9-5,9-7).

Besides the above two species, the type with red flowers, purple blotches, 11 leaflets, and underground stems was sometimes found in the understory of Platycladus orientalis forest in Wanhua Mountain, Yan' an. It was named P. yananensis by Hong T. et al. in 1992. In 1999, it was renamed as P. x papaveracea by Hong D. Y.. Due to the severe damage of vegetation near Yan' an, no similar group was found in other natural forests except Wanhua Mountain.

The Horticultural Classification of Yan'an Tree Peony Cultivars There are several views on how to classify Yan' an tree peony group (Zheng Hongchun et al., 1992; Hong Tao et al. 1992; Hong Deyuan, 1998). As far as the author is concerned, the wild tree peonies in Wanhua Mountain have been disrupted by human for hundreds years, so they are under semi-wild and semi-cultivation

181 Chinese Tree Peony (Xibei, Xinan, Jiangnan Volume)

Figure 9-8 Paeonia rockii in Ganquan, Shaanxi (red flower type)

situation, and show many characteristics of horticultural cultivars. Hence, we can not classify them simply according to botanical method, but should use the combined method of botanical classification and horticultural classification. Although most of existing tree peony cultivars show the characteristics of Paeonia jishanensis (plants low, leaflets 9, flower center red, upper part of filaments white and lower part purple, with underground stems, and often develop into plant cluster through asexual propagation). But there are also a small amount of cultivars show the characteristics of P. rockii (plants high, with brownish red or blackish purple blotches, disc and filaments white, without underground stems and so on). On the whole, Yan' an tree peony is the result of evolution of the crossbreeding by Paeonia jishanensis and P. rockii. Only this view can explain the so called "parallel evolution" phenomenon, cultivars with purple blotches and without purple blotches both exist. Due to the bad cultivation condition in Wanhua Mountain, generally variance is seldom and the evolution extent is low, so directional selection and improvement of cultivars is critical in the future.

Nowadays, there are more than 15 cultivars in Wanhua Mountain, Yan'an. Most of them are single form, but a few of them are anemone form or crown form. According to the origin, they are primarily classified as Zhongyuan tree peony cultivars, Yan'an sub-group (Li Jiajue 1999). Although some Zhongyuan tree peonies (Heze cultivars) were introduced in 1980s, due to the separate cultivation and the failure of breeding, they almost have no influence on the evolution of local cultivars. In addition, they have already been eliminated through selection because of their bad hard resistance. In 2002, Xibei cultivars were introduced from Lanzhou for the first time and they performed well.

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9.1.5 Major Cultivars of Yan'a

Baiyu Xian

'Baiyu Xian'

Single form, white. Flowers small (12 cm x 5 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, petals small and obovate. Quantity of stamens medium, the upper part of filaments white, middle and lower parts purplish red. Carpels 5, stigmas purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, dark purplish red. Plants upright, short (the 12-year-old plant is 0.77m high), usually 1 branch with 1 flower but seldom with 2 flowers. Small-sized round leaves, dense, leaflets 9, round and pointed, terminal leaflets 3, divided to parted, hairy on back, vein base with clusters of hair, margin of leaves purplish brown. This cultivar is close to the original species of Paeonia jishanensis, with underground stems. Early blooming (the flowering period in 1991 was May 5-15.).

'Mingxing'

Single form, white. Flowers medium-big (17 cm x 7 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, petals big, wide and obovate, with dark purplish red blotches at base. Quantity of stamens medium, the upper part of filaments

183

Xiuyue, Fen Helian

white, middle and lower parts purplish red. Carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base, disc and stigmas are both dark purplish red.

Plants short (the 9 years old plant is 0.5m high), stem slim. Leaflets 9 (11), terminal leaflets 3-divided to parted, lateral leafles incised, with sparse hair on back, vein base with cluster hair, petiole sinus light yellowish brown or tinted with purplish red. Early blooming.

'Hongxing'

Single form, white. Flowers big (19cm x 8 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, petals big, with long triangular purplish red blotches at base, small. Quantity of stamens medium, tip of filaments white, pink or light purple at base; Carpels 5, stigmas bright red to purplish red, disc white tinted with purplish red. Plants high (The 14-year-old plant is 1.4 - 1.5m high), branches stout, usually one branch with one flower. Small-sized round leaves, leaflets 9 (11), yellowish green, sparse, terminal leaflets 3-partite to divided, much hair on back, leaf axis with hair, petiole brown. The flowering period in 1991 was May 11-24.

'Xiuyue'

Single form, pink in initial, opening to white. Flowers medium-large (19 cm x 7 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, petals big, wide and obovate. Stamens many, the upper part of filaments white, middle and lower parts purplish red; carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base, disc and stigmas are both dark purplish red. The 12-year-old plant is 1.3m high, stems upright or a little slanting, usually 1 branch with 1 flower, seldom with 2 flowers, shoots many, branches thich and strong. Small-sized round leaves, a little spreading, leaflets 9(15), round and pointed, and incised. Terminal leaflets often partite to divided, with sparse hair on back, petiole brown. The

flowering period in 1991 was May 11 - 20. It was in full bloom in July 05,2001.

'Fen Helian'

Single form, pink in initial, pinkish white in full bloom. Flowers medium-big. Outer petals 2 layers, big, round, fringe with membranous narrow stripes. Stamens many, tip of filaments white, lower part purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas and disc are both dark purplish red. Plants upright. Small-sized long leaves, slanting, dense. Leaflets 9(11), long and pointed, terminal leaflets 3-parted, much hair on back, petiole sinus purplish red. Mid-blooming (It was in full bloom on May 07,2001).

'Fenpan Huangzhu'

Single form, pink. Flowers medium-big (17 cm x 7 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, petals big, wide and round, with small deltoid purplish red blotches at base, fringe with radiate stripes. Stamens many, the

184

Yan' an Huang

upper part of filaments white, the lower part of filaments light purplish red. Carpels 5, stigmas yellow, disc enclosed by the base, yellowish white, tinted with red at base.

The 12-year-old plant is 1.2m high. Medium-sized round leaves, dense growth, leaflets 19, terminal leaflets 3-partite to divided, lateral leaflets incised, much hair on back, petiole sinus light reddish brown. Flowers with a light fragrance. Mid-blooming (it was in full bloom on May 07, 2001), a good cultivar.

'Ruixiang Zi'

Single form, pink or dark red in initial, pinkish red in full bloom. Flowers medium-large (19 cm x 8 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, petals big, wide and round, with blackish purple mottlings at base and wide white mid rib on back. Stamens many, the upper part of filaments white, middle and lower parts purplish red. Carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base, carpel, disc and stigma are all purplish red.

The 7-year-old plant is l.lm high, branches of the year stout. Small-sized round leaves, slanting, dark green, leaflets 11(13), wide or long pointed, incised, hairy on vein and leaf back, petiole sinus reddish brown. Leaflets dark red. Medium growth, flowers with a light fragrance, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar.

'Yan'an Huang'

Single form, light yellow. Flowers small (15 cm x 6 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, obovate. Filaments white; carpels 5, stigmas purplish red; enclosed by the base, light yellowish white, tinted with purple.

Plants short (the 13-year-old plant is 0.8m high). Small-sized round leaves, leaflets 15, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets small, the hair on leaf back is medium, petiole sinus yellowish brown. Flowers with a light fragrance, early blooming (the flowering period in 1991 was May 6-14), a good cultivar.

'Wanhua Chun'

Anemone form, pink in initial, white in full bloom. Flowers medium-large (17 cm x 10 cm). Outer petals 2 layers, the quantity of stamens medium, many stamens petaloid, narrow, the upper part of filaments white, middle and lower parts purplish red. Carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base, disc and stigmas are both blackish purple.

Plants short (The 11-year-old is 0.7-0.9m high), upright or slanting, branches of the year yellowish green, leaf axil tingted with purplish red. Small-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, obtuse, yellowish green. Terminal leaflets 3-divided, much hair on back, vein base with cluster hair. Petiole slim, petiole sinus brownish red. With underground stems, they can grow into big cluster plants. Early-blooming, initial blooming on May 1 (1989-1990), April 26 (1993).

185

Shizitou

'Huamulan'

Anemone form, light yellow tinted with red in initial. Flowers medium-big. Outer petals 2 layers, obovate, with small deltoid dark purplish red blotches at base, a few narrow petals among them, tinted with purplish stripes. Stamens big, lower part of filaments purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas and disc (enclosed by the base) are purplish red. Plants high (the 14-year-old plant is 1.3m high), branches stout. Small-sized round leaves, leaflets 9 (15), dark green, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets incised, hairy on leaf back and petiole, petiole sinus reddish brown. Flowers with dense fragrance, mid to late blooming (11-21 May,1991), a good cultivar. Its original name is 'Shaonii'.

'Shizitou'

Anemone form or crown form, pink in initial, petal margin dark-colored, pinkish white in full bloom. Flowers big (19 cm x 8 cm). Outer big petals 2 layers, with small dark purplish red blotches at base, with wide white mid rib on back, petal margin with membranous stripes. Inner petals narrow. With many stamens, filaments purplish red; carpels 5, disc half-enclosed by the base, disc and stigmas are both dark purplish red. The 10-year-old plant is l.lm high, stems upright, 1 branch with 1 flower, seldom with 2 flowers. Small-sized round sparse yellowish green leaves, leaflets 9, obtuse, much hair on back and petiole, primary petiole tinted with purplish red at base, petiole sinus reddish brown. A cultivar often seen in Yan' an, with a light fragrance, flowering period late (In 1991, the flowering period was 11-20, May; it is in full bloom on May 07, 2001.), an excellent cultivar. It is also called ' Ziban Ruixiang Zi'.

Taohong Zhenzhu'

Anemone form or crown form, pink. Flowers big. Outer petals 2 layers, petals obovate, dark-colored at base, back with wide white mid rib, with many half petaliod petals. Stamens many, the upper part of filaments white, lower part purplish red; carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base,disc and stigmas are both dark purplish red. The 10-year-old plant is 1.0m high , branches of the year stout. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 9 (15), round and long pointed, terminal leaflets 3-partite to middle part, much hair on back. Petiole dark green

186

Taohong Zhenzhu, Yanzhou Bai

tinted with purple, petiole sinus yellowish brown, upper part purplish red. Mid-blooming (May 8-18,1991), a good cultivar.

'Yanzhou Bai'

Crown form, white tinted with pink. Flowers medium-large (18 cm x 10 cm), upright or lateral droop. Outer petals 2 layers, petals big, obovate, termination concave, with purplish red blotches at base, fringe with radiate stripes; inner petals many, with purplish red stripes at base, mixed with thick and big stamens, filaments purplish red or pink; carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base, serrate, disc and stigmas are both dark purplish red.

The 8-year-old plant is 0.9m high, upright. Branches of the year yellowish green, stout, leaf axil tinted with purplish red. Medium-sized round leaves, nearly spreading, leaflets 15, dark green, obtuse, incised, much hair on back, petiole sinus reddish brown. Flowers with a light fragrance, mid-blooming (May 11-18, 1991), an excellent cultivar. In addition, there is another kind of 'Yanzhou Bai' which does not have purple blotches.

'Yanzhou Fen'

Crown form, pink. Flowers medium-large (16 cm x 7.5 cm), lateral blooming. Outer petals 2 layers, with small brownish blotches at base; inner petals narrow, with purplish red stripes. Carpels 5, stigmas purplish red, disc enclosed by the base, dark purplish red.

The 13-year-old plant is l.lm high. Branches of the year yellowish green, petiole tinted with purple at base. Medium-sized round leaves, slanting, leaflets 11(15), wide and round, incised, much

hair on back, petiole sinus tinted with purplish red. It is bright-colored and beautiful, late blooming (in full bloom on May 06,1993), an excellent cultivar.

'Yanzhou Hong'

Crown form, pink. Flowers big (20 cm x 9 cm), lateral droop. Outer petals 2 layers, with blackish purple blotches at base, back with wide white middle rib, petal margin with membranous strips. Inner petals wide, with small black blotches at base, with white stripes. Stamens a few, middle and lower parts of filaments light purple; carpels 5, disc half-enclosed by the base, disc and stigmas are both purplish red.

Plants high (the 20-year-old plant is 1,8m high), upright, branches of the year stout, tinted with purplish red. Medium-sized round leaves, nearly spreading, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-partite, lateral leaflets obtuse, yellowish green, margin of leaves brown. Petiole tinted with purplish red, petiole sinus purplish red. Tender leaflets with bronze color tinge. Late blooming (The flowering period was 15-19 May, 1991. It was in full bloom on May 9,1993), an excellent cultivar.

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9.2 Exi Tree Peonies

9.2.1 Distribution

Exi is the western part of Hubei. There are rich wild tree peony resources from Jingshan Mountain, Baokang to Shennongjia Forestry Region. The cultivars include Paeonia rockii, P.ostii and P.qiui. It is one of the distribution centers and diversity centers of Chinese tree peony. Among them, P.ostii is distributed in the area southwards from Baokang, crossing Enshi region to Longshan County in the northwest of Hunan.

There are tree peonies cultivated for ornamental and medical usage in Xiangfan, Yichang, Baokang, Shennongjia, Enshi, Jianshi, Pingli in Exi.

9.2.2 History

There are no in depth study on the history of the cultivation of Exi tree peonies, but it is sure that Xiangyang began to cultivate tree peonies since Ming Dynasty or earlier. Based on the record in Xiangyang Xianzhi edited during Tianshun period (1457-1464) in Ming Dynasty, at that time "Longzhong tree peony are very prosperous". Besides, "in Xiangyang, more tree peonies were cultivated than in other areas and the scale of cultivation was almost like Luoyang". Since Ming, there was already the tradition to view tree peonies in the spring. Nowadays, a 7, 000m² tree peony garden was built in Longzhong Beauty Spot in Xiangfan(Fig.9-9). Since 1984, tree peony exhibition was held in April annually which also came from the tradition since Ming.

Figure 9-9 Laolong Dong Tree Peony Garden in Longzhong Beauty Spot in Xianfan Hubei

In Xiangfan, Baokang County was set up as county in 11 year of Hongzhi period in Ming Dynasty (1498). According to the record in Baokang Xianzhi Xinzuan edited in Bingyin Year of the reign of Tongzhi in Qing (1866), in this county, there was white wild tree peony, which can be Paeonia rockii or P.ostii, but it doesn' t mention how to cultivate. Based on the filed study there, there are a small amount of old cultivars which are amenone form or crown form. But these cultivars are mainly introduced from other places. The current single or double cultivars (cultivar groups) are the result of introduction by medicine farmer and crossbreeding by researchers these years. The study of Dai Zhenlun in Forestry Board of Baokang County showed that direct introduction of wild species possibly began since

the end of Ming. From the end of Qing to the beginning of Republic of China, farmers in Jiao Jia Ping in Jindou Town, Dongliushui in Houping County also had the tradition of planting tree peonies, and this tradition continues to today.

In Jianshi County, Enshi District in southwest of Hubei and other areas tree peonies are planted for medical purpose.

9.2.3 Ecological Habits and Flowering Period

Ecological Habit

Exi belongs to subtropical zone under monsoon climate, but due to the different physiognomy and elevation different areas have some variances.

Landform of Xiangfan belongs to farm land on low hills of North Hubei, and is located on the north fringe of subtropical belt, so it is the gate for the cold wave or cold air in winter, and the climate shows the characteristics of the transition from the South to the North. Its Longzhong Beauty Spot has an annual average temperature of 15 -16 °C . The mean temperature of January is 2.3 °C, absolute lowest temperature is -18.8 °C, mean temperature of July is 27.5 °C, absolute highest temperature is 42.5 °C and > 10°C accumulated temperature < 5,000°C. Annual precipitation is 870.7 - 960mm, and concentrates in the period from May to September. Because it is on the north fringe of Meiyu frontal zone, the characteristic of Meiyu climate is not very obvious. Annual average humidity is 76%-78%, and annual average sunshine is 1,905.4 -2,100h. Frost- free period is 234 - 240d. On the whole, in this area, sunshine and heat is plenty, precipitation is moderate, rainy and hot whether happens in the same season, and the four seasons are very trenchant. Because precipitatoon varies much, it is often threatened by drought which often happens in the spring, fall and summer.

Baokang belongs to Northwest Hubei mountainous physiognomy, and Jingshan Mountain traverses it from the center. With the change of elevation, climate factors also change correspondingly. The climate information of Baokang county seat and Hengchong Medicinal Material Farm was list in Table 9-1. In this area, soil of the valley is mainly yellow to brown soil, while the highland at an elevation of above 1,500m is mainly mountain brown soil. The pH value ranges from 6.5 to 7.5 (Fig.9-10).

Jianshi located in mountainous area of Southwest Hubei, and it is distributed in the basin among the mountains which are composed of oblique light reddish sandstone and conglomerate at the elevation of 500 to 1,000m. This region has more precipitation (Annual precipitation of Enshi is 1,424.8 mm), accumulated temperature is higher (> 10°C accumulated temperature of Enshi is 5,213°C), but sunshine is less (Enshi is 1,352.0 h). Together with Chongqing and Guizhou, Southwest Hubei is the area with most cloudy, misty or rainy days.

In general, Exi tree peonies belong to warm and humid ecotype.

Flowering Period of Tree Peony

Tree peonies cultivated in Longzhong of Xiangfan usually first bloom on April 5, and they are in full bloom from April 12 to 22. In 2000, the early flowering period of tree peony postponed till April 10.

Tree peonies cultivated in Baokang County usually first bloom on April 8, and are in full bloom on April 15. From April 14 to 24 is the full bloom period. The full bloom period of tree peony cultivated in mountain areas is in the mid May, which is similar to that of suburb

188

Figure 9-10 Paeonia rockii's ecological environment in Baokang Hengchong, Hubei

Figure 9-11 "King of P. rockii" in Baokang, Hubei

Figure 9-12 Deng Daqing 's breeding field of tree peony in Baokang,Hubei

Table 9-1 Comparison of main climate factors of different elevations in Baokang

Location Elevation Annual Average Absolute Average Absolute >10°C Annual

(m) average temperature lowest temperature of highest Accumula- average

Temperatuie of January temperature July('C) temperature ted temperature precipitation

Baokang Hengchong

Annual average relative

Annual Frost free average period(d) sunshine(h)

1,680

CC)

CC)

CC)

CC)

CC)

(mm) humidity(%)

6.7

-4.7

-23.1

18.1

33.9

2,168.0

> 1,200

144

Lanzhou at an elevation of 1,600-1,700m. 9.2.4

The Composition ofCultivars

Survey result shows there are about more than 30 cultivars in Exi. The cultivars consist of the following parts:

(1) Result of local domestication for a long time after Zhongyuan cultivars were introduced to the South. This kind of cultivars can be found in Xiangfan, Baokang, Enshi and Jianshi region. Most of them are proliferation form cultivars, such as ' Wolong Chushan', ' Longping Xiulou' and so on. Besides, there are highly double proliferation cultivars which are planted for medical purpose in the peasant' s home in Shennongjia forest area. In 1970s, Zhaolou Tree Peony Garden in Heze introduced ' Jinpao Hong' from Jianshi, but it was found that it almost had no difference with the local ' Jinpao Hong'.

(2)Direct domestication of local wild species and some variations happened. This often happens to P. rockii. In Zhangjiapo Village of Houping Town, Baokang, Zhang Tianpei cultivates a "king of P. rockii" (Fig.9-11), which is more than 100 years old, and the flowers are pink. In 1999, it bore 178 flowers. The plant is 2.5m high, diameter of the stem near the ground is 21.6 cm, and size of crown is 3.8m x 4. Om. It should be the form of P. rockii because P. rockii can be found in Baokang and Shennongjia Forest.

(3) Cultivars (cultivar group) from crossbreeding and selection. Some peasants transplanted P. rockii, P.ostii and P.qiui and planted them together, and selected cultivars from the offsprings of natural crossbreeding(Fig.9-12). In addition, senior engineer in Baokang Forestry Board, Dai Zhenlun, also did some crossbreeding. Most cultivars that we can see today belong to this type, and they are often single form or semi-double form.

(4) Cultivars directly introduced from Zhongyuan during the

last some 20 years. Longzhong Beauty Spot in Xiangfan is the place that introduced big quantity of plants and many cultivars. Through observation, we found that early shedding of leaves and bourgeoning in the fall are serious problems. But in-depth summary of the result of the introduction has not been done.

Judging from the current situation, the evolution extent of cultivars is very low, multiple-origin situation is fairly obvious, and the areas suitable for growing are often mild. To the horticultural classification, it is temperately put into Zhongyuan Tree Peony Cultivars, Exi sub-group (Li Jiajue 1999).

9.2.5 Development Direction and Prospect

The development statuses of the three areas in Exi are different: in Xiangfan and Longzhong they are planted purely for ornament, in Jianshi region (includes Enshi and other counties) they are mainly for medical use, and Baokang and Shennongjia recently began to pay attention to the development of tree peony for ornament.

The richness of tree peony resource in Exi region is astonishing. Exploration and use of it should be based on careful conservation and protection, and the development directions are delineated as below:

(1) Use the local germ plasm to crossbreed to enrich the plant form, flower type and flower color which can serve the tourism industry.

(2) Use the wild tree peonies growing in the low elevation areas to cultivate cultivars which are resistant to humid and hot climate so tree ponies can be moved southwards.

(3) Establish natural reserve in the place with rich wild tree peonies, and do in situ conservation.

(4) Go on with cultivation for medical purpose, and do further exploration.

189

'Baifeng Zhanchi'

Single form, white. Medium-large flowers (18 cm x 8 cm). Outer petals big, obovate, with dark purplish red blotches at base, fringe of blotches with radial stripes. Stamens many, filaments long, middle and lower parts light purple; carpels 5, stigmas flesh color; disc enclosed by the base, light purple.

Plants high, branches of the year long (35cm). Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, termianl leaflets seldom 3-divided, lateral leaflets entire, long ovate to elliptic, much hair on back. Petiole sinus purplish red. The flowers are white, the dark purplish red blotches at base are eye-catching. Early mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. A breed cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Jianshi Fen'

Single form, light pink. Flowers big, diameter of flowers is 18-20cm. Outer petals two layers, big, with purplish red blotches at base, with wide and white mid rib on back. Stamens normal, exceptionally many (424), filaments light brownish red; carpels 7 (5 normal outside, 2 small inside),disc enclosed by the base, disc and stigmas are both brownish red.

Plants almost upright, branches of the

year thick and strong, tinted with purplish red. Large-sized long leaves, aslant, leaflets 9(11), grayish green to dark green, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets incised, petiole tinted with brownish red, petiole sinus purplish red. Medium growth, quantity of shoots medium. Cultivated for medical usage in Jianshi of Hubei. It is introduced into Heze of Shandong. A good cultivar.

Jianshi Fen

Baifeng Zhanchi

190

'Xiwang'

Single form, pink. Medium-large flowers (16 cm x 7 cm). Outer petals two layers, big, with long purplish red stripes at base. Quantity of stamens medium, filaments purplish red; carpels 9 big and 2 small, stigmas red; disc enclosed by the base, dark purple.

Plants high, branches of the year long, axillary bud is on the base of petiole. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets partite to divided, margin of leaves tinted with brown, petiole sinus brown, without hair on back. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Chufeng'

Single form, pinkish blue. Flowers big (20 cm x 8 cm). Outer petals big, with big blackish purple blotches at base, blotches with radiate stripes. Stamens many, filaments light purplish red; carpels 10 (6 outside, 4 inside), stigmas hook-like, yellow.

The height of plants medium, upright, branches of the year thick and strong. Medium-sized long leaves, Ieafletsl9 (21), terminal leaflets 3-lobed to partite, lateral leaflets much entire, much hair on back, petiole

Xiwang

sinus yellowish brown. Medium growth, flowers many, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. A cultivar in Baokang of Hubei.

'Longzhong Fen'

Single form, pink. Flowers small (15 cm x 7 cm). Outer petals 3 layers, petals big, with purplish red blotches at base, dark-colored part extend to the middle part of petals. Stamens extremely many (406), filaments purplish red; carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base, disc and

Longzhong Fen

stigmas are both dark purplish red.

The height of plants medium, branches of the year long, leaflets 9, divided or parted, almost having no petiole, with a few hair on back, petiole sinus yellowish brown, upper part brown, medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. A traditional cultivar in Longzhong, Xiangfan of, Hubei.

'Jinxin Fen'

Single form, light pinkish blue. Medium-large flowers (18 cm x 7 cm). Outer

Chufeng

petals 3-4 layers, with deltoid dark purplish red blotches, fringe with feather-like radiate stripes.Stamens many, anther lush and plump, filaments purplish red; carpels 5-6, stigmas red, disc purplish red.

The height of plants medium. Medium-sized long leaves, Ieafletsl5, entire, seldom incised, terminal leaflets 3-par-tite to divided, much hair on back. Quantity of flowers medium. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

191

Jingshan Yudie

'Jingshan Yudie'

Lotus form or Chrysanthemum form, pure white. Flowers small (15 cm x 6 cm), upright. Outer petals about 5 layers, smaller from outside to inside, with big round or elliptic brownish red blotches at base, fringe of blotches with radial stripes. Stamens many, outer petals small, filaments yellowish white; carpels 5, disc enclosed by the base, disc and stigmas are both yellowish white.

Plants almost upright. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, dark green, spreading. Medium growth, with a light fragrance, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Selected and cultivated by LiuWanyi in Baokang, named by Li.

'Yuquan Xiaguang'

Lotus form, pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm). Outer petals 4 layers, with long deltoid purplish red blotches at base. Stamens normal, dark purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas red; disc enclosed by the base, purplish red.

The height of plants medium. Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, green, ovate lanceolate, entire, terminal leaflets 2-divided, petiole sinus yellowish brown. Medium growth, with a light fragrance, mid-blooming, a good cultivar.The color

is purely white. The purplish red stripes at base look like the rays of sunlight, so it gets this name. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Wanxia Fen'

Lotus form, pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm). With dark purplish red blotches at base, fringe with radiate stripes. Stamens many, anthers plump, filaments purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, purple.

The height of plants medium, branches of the year yellowish green, 25cm in length. Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 27, green, entire, some partite, much hair on back, petiole sinus yellowish brown or tinted with red. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Baokang Chunse'

Lotus form, pinkish white. Flowers big, diameter of flowers is more than 20cm. Outer petals 3-4 layers, deltoid blackish purple blotches at base, fringe with radial stripes. Stamens many, carpels normal, stigmas and disc yellowish white .

Plants high. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets more than 15, entire. Mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Introduced and planted by Sun Tianpei in Baokang. The elevation of this region is high. It was in full bloom on May 5,1997. It was named by Liu Wanyi.

'Jinxiu Lan'

Lotus form, pinkish blue. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm). Petals 4-5 layers, dark-colored at base, stamens many, filaments light red. Carpels normal, stigmas red; disc enclosed by the base, light red.

The height of plants medium. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 9, leaf margin tinted with brown, petiole sinus brownish red. Vigorously growing, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Hu Lan'

Lotus form, pinkish blue. Flowers big (diameter of flowers is 18-20 cm). Outer

Yuquan Xiaguang

192

Jinxiu Lan

petals 3-4 layers, with purplish red blotches at base, with wide white mid rib on back. Stamens normal, the quantity is extremely high (more than 600), middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red, upper part white; carpels normal, stigmas purplish red, disc dark purplish red.

Plants high, branches of the year thick and strong, yellowish green. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets round, incised, petiole sinus yellow. Vigorously growing, mid-blooming, a good cultivar.Cultivated for medical usage in

Jiaren

Jianshi, Hubei. Introduced and planted in Heze. 'Jiaren'

Lotus form or Chrysanthemum form, pink. Big flowers (19cm x 8.5cm). Outer colorful petals 5, outer petals wide obovate, termination pinkish white, dark-colored at base. Stamens normal, middle and lower parts of filaments light purplish red; carpels normal, stigmas red; disc closely enclosed by the base, dark purple.

The height of plants medium, upright. Branches of the year long, thick and strong. Large-sized long leaves, terminal leaflets partite to divided, lateral leaves with 1-2 couples of incision, petiole sinus brown. Vigorously growing, early mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. The flowers look like pretty beauties with elegant makeup when they are in bud, so they get this name.

'Sai Furong'

Lotus form, pink. Flowers big (19cm x 8cm). Outer petals obovate, with purplish red to blackish purple blotches at base. Stamens many, filaments purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, carpels 5, stigmas red.

The height of plants medium, branches upright. Branches of the year long, thick and strong. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 9 (15), entire, Petiole sinus purplish red. Shoots a few. Strong growth, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Flowers like lotus in full bloom, so they get this

HuLan

Shanhe Hong

name. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei. 'Shanhe Hong'

Lotus form, peach-pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm). Outer petals 3-4 layers, with long ovate black blotches at base. Quantity of stamens medium, filaments light purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas red; disc partially enclosed by the base, purplish red.

The height of plants medium. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, long ovate to elliptic, terminal leaflets sparsely 3-divided, petiole sinus brownish red. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

193

Jinxiu Lan

petals 3-4 layers, with purplish red blotches at base, with wide white mid rib on back. Stamens normal, the quantity is extremely high (more than 600), middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red, upper part white; carpels normal, stigmas purplish red, disc dark purplish red.

Plants high, branches of the year thick and strong, yellowish green. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets round, incised, petiole sinus yellow. Vigorously growing, mid-blooming, a good cultivar.Cultivated for medical usage in

Jiaren

Jianshi, Hubei. Introduced and planted in Heze. 'Jiaren'

Lotus form or Chrysanthemum form, pink. Big flowers (19cm x 8.5cm). Outer colorful petals 5, outer petals wide obovate, termination pinkish white, dark-colored at base. Stamens normal, middle and lower parts of filaments light purplish red; carpels normal, stigmas red; disc closely enclosed by the base, dark purple.

The height of plants medium, upright. Branches of the year long, thick and strong. Large-sized long leaves, terminal leaflets partite to divided, lateral leaves with 1-2 couples of incision, petiole sinus brown. Vigorously growing, early mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. The flowers look like pretty beauties with elegant makeup when they are in bud, so they get this name.

'Sai Furong'

Lotus form, pink. Flowers big (19cm x 8cm). Outer petals obovate, with purplish red to blackish purple blotches at base. Stamens many, filaments purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, carpels 5, stigmas red.

The height of plants medium, branches upright. Branches of the year long, thick and strong. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 9 (15), entire, Petiole sinus purplish red. Shoots a few. Strong growth, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Flowers like lotus in full bloom, so they get this

Hu Lan

Shanhe Hone

name. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei. 'Shanhe Hong'

Lotus form, peach-pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm). Outer petals 3-4 layers, with long ovate black blotches at base. Quantity of stamens medium, filaments light purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas red; disc partially enclosed by the base, purplish red.

The height of plants medium. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, long ovate to elliptic, terminal leaflets sparsely 3-divided, petiole sinus brownish red. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

193

Zhaoxia Hong

'Xilinmen'

Lotus form, pink. Flowers big (20 cm x 10 cm). Petals 6 layers, Outer petals obovate, medium-large, middle and lower parts dark-colored, with small purplish red blotches at base. Stamens many (315), filaments purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, light purple; carpels 5, stigmas incarnate.

Plants high, branches upright, branches of the year long (39 cm), tinted with brown. Medium-sized round leaves, leaflets 9 (15), ovate, entire. Leaves nearly spreading, leaflets spacing long, yellowish green, petiole light red. Flowers many. People are full of joy when they are enjoying them, so they get this name. Early mid-blooming. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Fen Ling'

Lotus form, dark pink. Medium-large flowers (16 cm x 6 cm). Pistils and stamens normal, filaments purplish red, stigmas red, disc dark purplish red.

Jingshan Honghui

The height of plants medium, upright. Branches of the year slim and long (45cm), yellowish green. Large-sized long leaves, primary petiole long, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, middle lobes 3-lobed, lateral leaflets incised. Petiole round, petiole sinus yellowish brown. Strong growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Zhaoxia Hong'

Lotus form, peach-pink. Medium-large flowers (diameter of flowers is 16-18cm). Outer petals 4 layers, with brownish red blotches at base, fringe with radiate stripes. Stamens many, carpels 5, stigmas, disc and filaments all crimson.

The height of plants medium, stem upright, yellowish green. Medium-sized long leaves,leaflets 21,yellowish green, petiole sinus light yellow. They were found in Bian Shifu' s house in Longping , Baokang.

'Jingshan Honghui'

Chrysanthemum form, peach-pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm). Petals about 6 layers, outer petals medium-large, with narrow dark purplish red blotches at base. Stamens many (211), filaments dark purplish red; carpels 9 (5 big and 4 small inside), stigmas crimson; disc partially enclosed by the base, dark purple.

The height of plants medium, length of branches of the year medium, yellowish green. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 13 (15), termianl leaflets 2-3-divided, lateral leaves elliptic to long ovate, entire or incised, much hair on back. Weakly growing, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei, named by Li.

'Longzhong Baiju'

Chrysanthemum form or golden-heart form, white , tinted with pink stripes at base. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm). Outer petals 3 layers, long obovate, inner petals many layers, narrow or becoming small. Small stamens many (386), middle and lower parts of filaments light purple;

194

carpels 10 (6 outside, 4 inside).

The height of plants medium, a little spreading. Leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, middle lobes 3-lobed, lateral leaflets parted, with sparse hair on leaf back. Early mid-blooming, cultivated in Longzhong, Xiangfan of Hubei.

'Yuquan Chungu'

Chrysanthemum form, light pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm). Petals 6 layers,tinted with lighted at base. Stamens many, filaments light purplish red;carpels 5, sitgmas bright red; disc closely enclosed by the base, dark purple.

The height of plants medium, new branches long (30cm), yellowish green. Small-sized long leaves, leaflets 9, lanceolate, entire, yellowish green, terminal leaflets 3-4-divided, petiole sinus light yellow, upper part brown. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Baokang Fen'

Chrysanthemum form or rose form, light pinkish blue. Rowers big (24cm x 6cm), upright. Petals many layers, outer petals big, inner petals become small, with purplish red blotches at base, medium-large, fringe with radiate stripes. Stamens many, filaments purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas red, disc purplish red

Plants short. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, plump, round and pointed, green, tinted with bronze color, entire or incised, terminal leaflets 3-parted, petiole sinus purplish red, sun-facing side tinted with purplish brown. Weakly growing, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

Longzhong Baiju

'Fendie Xianjin'

Chrysanthemum form, light pinkish blue. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 7cm). Outer petals 3 layers, big, inner petals many layers, becoming small, with purplish red blotches at base. Stamens many (517), middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red. Carpels 5, stigmas purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, light purple.

Plants almost upright, the branches of year long (40cm), thick and strong. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, entire, long elliptic to wide ovate, termianl leaflets 3-parted. At the beginning of blossom, the flower color is delicate and charming, and many golden anthers cluster in the center, so it gets this name. Vigorously growing, late mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar, cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Jingshan Fen'

Chrysanthemum form, light peach-pink. Medium-large flowers (17cm x 6cm). Petals about 6 layers, regular, with small purple or purplish red blotches at base. Quantity of stamens medium, out petals small, stamens at center big, filaments dark purple; carpels 10 (6 outside, 4 inside), stigmas bright purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, partite, dark purplish red.

The height of plants medium. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, light green, terminal leaflets 3 partite to divided, lateral leaflets ovate lanceolate, the second couple of lateral leaves incised, stemsand petioles bright yellowish green. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei. Introduced and cultivated by Forestry Technology Extending Station, Gansu.

Yuquan Chungu

Fendie Xianjin

Baokang Fen

Jingshan Fen

195

'Zhaojun Chuyu'

Rose form, pink. Medium-large flowers (17cm x 9cm). Petals 9-10 layers. Stamens many (270), filaments purplish red; carpels 9 (5 big, 4 small), stigmas red; disc closely enclosed by the base, dark purple.

The height of plant medium-short, branches of the year long (36cm). Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 9, plump, terminal leaflets partite to divided, leaf margin tinted with brown, without hair on back, petiole sinus brown. Medium growth, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. At the beginning of blossom, the color is delicate and charming and the flower is tender and lovely, so it gets this name. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Xinxiu'

Chrysanthemum form or rose form, peach-pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm). Outer petals medium-large, with purplish red stripes at base; inner petals many, narrow. Quantity of stamens medium, middle and lower parts of filaments purplish

Zhaojun Chuyu

red, with a few petaloid petals; carpels 9, small, stigmas red; disc serrate, purplish red. Plants short, branches of the year short and slim, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets parted, middle lobes 1-2-lobed, lateral leaflets wide ovate, incised, leaf margin dark brown, leaf surface tinted with broze color, without hair on back, petiole sinus brown.Weak growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Qilin Hong'

Chrysanthemum form or rose form, red. Flowers small (14cm x 6cm). Outer petals 4 layers, regular, inner petals 2-4 layers, termination crumpled. Stamens many, and the ones on outer layers are small (more than 320), while those on inner layers are big (about 150); middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red, a little petaloid; carpels 9, stigmas bright purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, purple.

Plants short. Large-sized long leaves, primary petiole exceptionally long (24cm); leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lat-

Xinxiu

eral leaflets wide ovate to long elliptic, parted, leaf color yellowish green, petiole sinus brown. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei. Introduced and planted by Forestry Technology Extending Station, Gansu.

'Jinpao Hong'

Rose form, purplish red. Flowers big (diameter of flowers is 18-20 cm). Petals 8-10 layers, inner petals become smaller, corrugate. Stamens many, carpels 5-8, filaments and disc light purplish red, stigmas red.

The height of plants medium, a little patulous. Branches of the year thick (25 -30 cm), yellowish green tinted with brown. Leaf blade yellowish green tinted with bronze color, deep vein. Petiole round, petiole sinus brown, upper part purplish red. Vigorously growing, shoots many. They are cultivated for medical usage in Jianshi, Hubei. They are similar with ' Jinpao Hong' in Heze.

'Hong Feng'

Anemone form or golden-heart form, red.

196

Xiangyang Dahong

Flowers small (15cm x 7cm). Outer petals obovate. Inner petals are often anemone petals. Stamens many (230), filaments purplish red; carpels 9 (6 big, 3 small), stigmas purplish red. Plants short, branches of the year short (20cm), tinted with brown, leaflets 9, termianl leaflets 3-lobed, leaf surface crumpled, tinted with yellowish brown, petiole sinus brown. Weakly growing, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Shanmei'

Crown form, dark reddish purple. Medium-large flowers(16cm x 7cm), upright. Outer petals 3 layers, with blackish purple

blotches; inner petals small, with a few stamens. Carpels 5-7, stigmas hook-like, stigmas and disc are both yellow.

The height of plants medium. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 21, terminal leaflets partite to divided, lateral leaflets ovate-lanceolate. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Baokang of Hubei.

'Xiangyang Dahong'

Crown form, purplish red. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm), upright. Outer petals 4-5 layers, thick, with dark purplish red blotches at base. Because its inner petals are corrugate, it looks like they have many flower hearts, and there are many stamens and half-petaloid petals among them; carpels 10 (6 outside, 4 inside), stigmas bright purplish red; disc closely enclosed, dark purplish red.

The height of plants medium. Leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-partite, middle lobes 3-lobed. Lateral leaves almost no petiole, parted, the spacing between lateral leaves and terminal leaflets is long. Petiole sinus red. Medium growth, flowers many, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. A traditional cultivar in Longzhong, Xiangfan of Hubei.

'Wolong Chushan'

Rose proliferation form, peach-pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 11cm), flowers drooping. Petals of the lower-flowers more than 10 layers, with purplish red blotches at base. Stamens many, middle and lower parts of filaments light purple; disc closely enclosed, dark purplish red, termination narrowly serrate; carpels 12, stigmas bright red, some chimeric with stamens, a little petaloid at base. The upper-flowers with more than 30 small petals and more than 10 stamens, anthers plump, carpels 3-5, irregular size.

The height of plant medium, branches of the year long (41cm), dark green. Leaflets 15, terminal leaflets partite, middle lobes 3-lobed, the second couple of leaflets parted. With sparse hair on leaf back, petiole round, Petiole sinus purplish red. A strong grower, but sparsely flowered, lateral drooping, late blooming. A traditional cultivar in Longzhong, Hubei.

'Longping Xiulou'

Crown proliferation form, crimson. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 9cm), lateral bloom. Outer petals of the lower-flowers 4-5 layers, middle and lower parts narrow purplish red stripes; inner petals many, mixed with many stamens, upper part of filaments white , lower part light purple, carpels 5, a little petaloid. The upper-flowers with many

petals and a few stamens, carpels 11 (7 outside, 4 inside) or more (18-19), 5 small among them; disc serrate, dark purplish red. Plants high, branches of the year long (43 cm), thick and strong. Leaflets 9, leaf color dark green, many incised. Termianl leaflets 3-lobed, sparse hair on back. Medium growth, shoots many at base, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. A traditional cultivar in Longping, Baokang of Hubei. Often cultivated in peasant houses.

Wolong Chushan

197

9.3 Cold Area Tree Peony

9.3.1 History

The "cold area"in this book refers to the middle and north parts of Northeast China (including the northeast part of Nei Mongol, and it is equal to the north margin of Medium Temperature Zone and Cold Zone. This region has been recognized as the ' forbidden zone' of the cultivation of tree peony. But according to textual research result, tree peony has been cultivated in the region of Mudanjiang River, Northeast China in Tang Dynasty. At that time, it was Bohai State, the regime established mainly by population of Mohe, and it closely affiliated with Tang Dynasty so that it was deeply influenced by Zhongyuan' s culture. Based on the literature record, Bohai State used to be claimed as "Hai Dong Sheng Guo" (prosperous country on the east of the sea), and its capital, Shangjing City (currently in Ning' an County, Heilongjiang), had ever had 100,000 residents. In Shangjing, the north, east and west parts of Long Quan Fu City are forbidden gardens, where many tree peonies, herbaceous peonies, and other exotic flowers were widely planted. Song Mo Ji Wen had ever recorded that in Bohai, "rich families resided in peacefully for more than two hundreds years, and they often built gardens and ponds and planted tree peonies with the quantity of up to two or three hundreds. Some of these tree peonies are bushy with tens of stems, but they were not cultivated in Yan". Bohai State went through 229 years, and tree peonies lost after it was annexed.

From 1970s to the early 1980s, Shenyang in Liaoning, Ji' an in Jilin, Ha' erbin, Shangzhi and Daqing in Heilongjiang and other cities planted the introduced Zhongyuan tree peony and Xibei tree peony, and certain successes have been achieved. Among these cities, Shenyang originally has a small quantity of single form cold tolerant cultivars which can survive winter without man-made cold-preventing measures. In Heilongjiang, Zhang Wei Tree Peony Gardening Research Institute began to introduce and cultivate since 1980 (Fig. 9-13). Till now, they have accumulated rich experiences, and therefore ended the history that no tree peony was cultivated in cold areas.

9.3.2 Natural Conditions and Introduction Achievements

Natural Conditions

Shangzhi City of Heilongjiang, the main cultivated area, is located at 45° 13' N, and is 500m above the see level. In this region annual average temperature is 2.3 °C; the average temperature in January is -20.5 °C; the absolute lowest temperature is usually about S-44.1°C; and the average temperature in July is 21.6 °C. The absolute highest temperature is 34.8°C; > 10°C accumulated temperature is around 2,432°C. Annual precipitation is 666.1 mm, evaporation is 560.4 mm, annual average sunshine is 2,552.5 h, and frost-free period is 116.6 d. The flowering period of tree peonies in this region is usually from May 24 to June 12. Mudanjiang City,lying to the southwest of Shangzhi City, is located at 44° 25' N. The annual average temperature is 3.5°C; the absolute highest temperature is 37 °C, and the absolute lowest temperature is -38.5°C. Annual precipitation is 550.9mm, annual average relative humidity is 67% Ji'an in Jilin is located at 41° 15' N, and it is 180m above the see level. Its annual average temperature is 6.5 °C. The average temperature in January is -14.5 °C; the absolute lowest temperature is -36.2°C; the average temperature in July is 23.2°C; and the absolute highest temperature is 37.7 °C . Annual precipitation is 1,000 mm; the annual average sunshine is 2,284.0h, and frost-free period is 150 d.

Shangzhi City is low mountain area, and the forest coverage rate is 31%. Besides forest soil, soil in tree peony cultivation area is black soil which is rich in humus and fertile, and its pH value is about 7. Soil of Ji' an City' s cultivation area is loosen and loamy, and the organic content is 2.1% - 2.4%.

The cold climate is both disadvantageous and beneficial to the cultivation of tree peonies. For example, in Shangzhi City, factors of the cold ecological environment that limit the cultivation of tree peony include: (1) Frost-free period is short, so growth period is also relatively short; (2) the frequent low temperature and less sunshine in the fall make the plants tissue infirm; and (3) the winter is very harsh, the lowest temperature can reach -44.1°C. However, it also has some advantages: (1) The soil is fertile and rich of humus and porous. (2) The climate in the summer is mild, rainfall is plenty (from June to August,

Figure9-13 Zhang Wei Tree Peony Gardening Research Institute in Shangzhi, Heilongjiang

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Xiuqiu Fan Jinhua Zilou Shuangchen

Figure 9-14 The excellent cultivars of Cold Area Tree Peony selected by Zhang Wei Tree Peony Gardening Research Institute in Shangzhi, Heilongjiang

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rainfall can reach 412.8 mm, which is 62% of annual total precipitation), sunshine is strong which leads high assimilation rate, and the difference in temperature of day and night is big, i.e. in the summer, the temperature of night is only 15-20°C, so the plants consume less and accumulate more which is beneficial to flora bud differentiation. (3) Although the frost-free period is short, hot whether disappears in the autumn and tree peonies are forced to turn to be dormant by low temperature. (4) Annual average accumulated snow is 40cm thick, which is good for the plants to survive the winter. But because natural snowfall varies from year to year, the best way is to burrow plants with earth. (5) Making use of the cold resource, the flowering period can be deferred for 40days.

Introduction Achievements

Ji'an, Jilin this region began to introduce tree peonies from 1971. In 1987, this region introduced more than 70 cultivars, planted in the mid September, and applied enough base fertilizer (decayed farmyard manure). Tied up the whole plants with straw in the mid November, covered the root areas with 20 -25 cm soil, placed a pot upside down on them and sealed the hole on the bottom. In the period from the early March to April, ventilated them gradually, and removed the covering. In the second year, they could survive the winter safely with only soil coverage on the root areas. From 1987 to 1989, the absolute lowest temperature was -24.7 to -28.1 °C . The survival ratio during these three years was 100%, and the cultivars that survive the winter safely included ' Da Huhong', ' Zhusha Lei', ' Zi Erqiao', 'ZhaoFen', 'WulongPengsheng', 'YuhouFengguang', 'Shanhu Tai', ' Binghu Xianyu', ' Lantian Yu', ' Qinglong Wo Mochi', ' Shou' an Hong', ' Yingri Hong', ' Chu' e Huang' and so on. The others whose survival ratios were 90% and only the terminal flora buds were slightly damaged are ' Huolian Jindan', ' Yao Huang', ' Zi Yu', 'ZhaoZi', 'YangfeiChacui', 'Zilankui', 'HeiHuakui', 'Guanshi Moyu', 'ErQiao', 'GejinZi', 'DouZhu', 'KunshanYeguang'and so on. Besides, survival ratios of' Dou Lii' and ' Bai Yu' were 80%, and a small quantity of weak plants were difficult to live through the winter. In the first year after the winter, ' Wengong Hong', ' Sheng Danlu', 'SujiaZi', 'WulongPengsheng', 'ZiErqiao', 'DaHuhong', 'Sai Huhong'' Yingri Hong', ' Yinhong Qiaodui' grew strongly, the branches of the year were 35 - 60cm long, the diameter of flowers were 16-20cm. After observation formany years, 'DaHuhong', 'ZiErqiao', 'ZhaoFen', 'WulongPengsheng', 'ShanhuTai', 'BinghuXianyu', ' Shouan Hong', ' Yingri Hong', ' Chu' e Huang' and other cultivars grew better than those in the original places. 'Wengong Hong', ' Wulong Pengsheng', ' Binghu Xianyu' grew more than one time better than in the original cultivation area. The main characteristic was that they shoot vigorously, at most 12 to 15 shoots and at least 3 to 4 ones. Some of them bloomed in the second year after they came up out of the earth.

Shangzhi, Heilongjiang since 1980, Heze tree peonies have been introduced from Shandong for many times, and later, Lanzhou tree peony from Gansu and tree peony from Europe and Japan were also introduced. Most of them can grow and bloom normally after they are protected in the winter. Among them, Xibei tree peonies are more cold resistant than Zhongyuan tree peonies. However, extremely harsh winter environment can also cause severe damage on each kind of tree peony.

Shangzhi tree peonies' main cultivating measures: (1) Changing planting time from autumn to spring. In Shangzhi, tree peonies planted in spring perform better than those in autumn. Survival ratio is high, recovery period is short, and the cost of winter protection in that year is less. Some of them bloom in the same year, and bloom vigorously in the successive years. Planting in autumn is disadvantageous to the growth of tree peonies.The temperature of autumn drops fairly fast in Shangzhi, it can reach below 0°C after October 1. The tree peonies planted newly don' t have enough time to recover and enter the cold winter directly. (2) Protection in winter. Due to the irregular snowfall in winter in Shangzhi, covering tree peonies with earth to protect them in the winter is still necessary.

Mudanjiang City,Heilongjiang some Zhongyuan tree peonies (6-year-old) were introduced from Heze, Shandong in Oct., 1997. Planting in the opening and protecting in winter (Covering tree peonies with earth more than 2/3 of the plants after bundled up with straw sack, then cover them with leaves), the tip of the branches withered seriously, survival ratio was 80% and the flowering ratio was only 10%. After the second protection in winter, the cold endurance strengthened, the flowering ratio of the third year and fifth year was 75% and 98.5% respectively, the flower's size was big and the color was bright. The cultivars performing well are ' Shanhu Tai'' Wulong Pengsheng'' Kunshan Yeguang' 'Yingri Hong' 'Yinhong Qiaodui' 'Zi Erqiao' ' Qinglong Wo Mochi' etc. (Zhao Linna 2003).

9.3.3 Breeding Prospect

In the long term, the breeding direction is to select cold resistant cultivars from the seedlings of good cross breeding seeds, and develop the tree peony cultivar series which can live in cold areas. Zhang Wei Tree Peony Gardening Research Institute in Shangzhi, Heilongjiang has worked continuously on this direction, and the objective can be achieved in the near future. It is reported that a group of good cultivars has been cultivated, e.g. 'Zilou Shuangchen', 'Heilong Huancai'and etc. (Fig. 9-14). These cultivars were proved that they can successfully endure extremely low temperature of -44.1°C and the low temperature and seldom sunshine environment in autumn.

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