National Flower

Tree Peony is regarded as the national flower of China.

The elegance and fragrance of the tree peony has been a favorite in Chinese culture throughout history. Early in Southern and Northern Dynasties there were records of tree peony planting. The technology of planting was largely developed later in Tang Dynasty when tree peony was reputed as "the king of flowers". It is said once in Qing Dynasty, a brother of the then emperor went to Jile Temple to appreciate tree peony, and then wrote inscriptions "National Flower Temple" on the plague of the temple. Therefore it was from early Qing Dynasty that tree peony won the title "National Flower".

Tree peony of China is famous at home and abroad. In Origin of the Species by Darwin, the planting of tree peony in China was quoted as an example to prove the "Theory of Natural Selection and Artificial Selection". Tree peony is widely favored by people all over the world. In the eighth century, tree peony of China was introduced to Japan, in 1330 to France, in 1656 to Holland, and in 1820 to the United States.

By now tree peony is planted and cultivated in more than 20 countries world wide. It is said that in Tang Dynasty, the then Emperor Wu Zetian once got drunk in a winter day and ordered all flowers in the palace to bloom at once. Tree peony refused and was soon driven out of the imperial palace to Luoyang in today's Henan Province. From then on tree peony was reputed as the "Best Flower under Heaven" Tree peonies are upright, tall and handsome, with bright and showy flowers.

The characters of tree peonies are quite similar to that of the Chinese people. In Ming Dynasty, Caozhou County in Shandong Province once won the title "Hometown of Tree peony" when tree peony was in fashion for a period.Each spring Henan Province's city of Luoyang ?C the capital of several Chinese dynasties in central China ?C holds a 10-day peony festival and trade show (April 15-25). Varieties of peonies from overseas are displayed besides the some 600 varieties of peonies developed in Luoyang itself.