Chenshan Botanical Garden peonies in full bloom

LMS
chinadaily.com.cn| Updated: February 17, 2014

At the start of the New Year, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden launched a special exhibition to display a total of 25 varieties of peonies, all of which were from the city of Luoyang, Henan province.

In order to ensure the peonies would bloom on time, from September and October last year, gardeners of Chenshan Botanical Garden enhanced careful cultivation. Measures included the early stage of seed selection and potting to a one-month-freezer sleep treatment. Later on, staff moved peonies into the greenhouse, simulating a natural condition for their growth. They also removed some leaves to ensure the blooming phase could be controlled within 20 days.

Due to the recent sudden drop in temperature in Shanghai, in order to ensure the displayed peonies can continue blooming in the cold weather, Chenshan Botanical Garden staff deliberately set up a tailor-made "cottage" for each peony that enriched the funny and festive atmosphere in the garden.

Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden launches a special exhibition to display a total of 25 varieties of peonies.

Chenshan Botanical Garden staff deliberately set up a tailor-made "cottage" for each peony that enriched the funny and festive atmosphere in the garden.

By Huang Pei

Edited by Michael Thai