Why are peonies always planted together? (Do peonies have to be planted together with peonies to bloom?)

Peony flower (picture)

There is a folk saying that peony and Chinese peony are from the same clan and ancestor, Chinese peony came first and peony came later.

Peony flowers will not be bright without peony. Only when planted with peony can it bloom large and beautiful flowers.

In fact, this statement is unfounded . Although peonies and peonies are both plants of the Paeoniaceae family, many peony gardens do not plant peonies, but the flowers are still in full bloom.

Therefore, the saying that peonies cannot bloom well without peony is not true, so why do people like to plant peonies and peonies together? In fact, there are other meanings.

1. The relationship between peony and peony

In fact, there was no name of peony in ancient times. Both woody and herbaceous plants were collectively called peonies. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that woody peonies began to be called peonies. This means that the two are of the same clan and family, both belonging to the genus Paeonia in the Paeoniaceae family.

In this way, although the peony is the "king of flowers", it is a "golden phoenix" that has flown out from the peony family. It is only selected as a woody plant because it is more beautiful.

Peony flower (picture)

2. The benefits of peony and herbaceous peony growing together

In life, because peonies and herbaceous peonies are related to each other , people often interplant them when cultivating them so that they can grow together. There is a reason for this.

1. Extend the flowering period and improve the ornamental value

Although peony and herbaceous peony are from the same family, their flowering periods are not exactly the same. Peony blooms from April to May, while herbaceous peony blooms from May to June. Planting the two together can just extend the flowering period and maximize the ornamental value.

2. Cross-pollination and hybridization of new varieties

Although peonies and peony belong to the same family and genus, one is woody and the other is herbaceous. Therefore, for a long time, people believed that it was impossible to hybridize the two to produce new varieties.

But in 1948, Japanese horticulturist Ito turned the "impossible" into "possible" and successfully cultivated 6 new varieties of yellow flowers, which were called "Ito hybrids".

Moreover, these "hybrids" soon showed the unique advantages of hybrids: vigorous growth, beautiful plant shape, large and colorful flowers, and longer flowering period.

With the amazing reversal of "impossible" and "possible", people naturally have the idea of ​​letting the two "grow together", pollinate each other, and produce seeds and hybridize new varieties. Therefore, they are often planted together to make them "grow together".

Peony flower (picture)

3. Increase novelty and enhance viewing effect

Although peonies and herbaceous peonies are from the same family, if you look closely, you will find that their stems, leaves and flower shapes are different.

In terms of stems and branches, one is woody and the other is herbaceous, which is easy to tell. In terms of leaves, peony leaves are large and cracked, while peony leaves are slender and pointed. In terms of flower shape, peony flowers are slightly larger, with petals spread outwards, in a blooming state, appearing elegant, noble, and dignified.

Peony flowers are slightly smaller, with introverted petals that appear to be about to open but halfway closed, making them appear hazy, fresh and graceful.

In this way, interplanting the two will definitely give people a different feeling in terms of viewing effect, which will greatly increase the novelty and enhance the viewing effect.

4. Increase the fun of identification and appreciation

Both peony and peonies are ornamental plants in gardens. They belong to the genus Paeonia of the Ranunculaceae family. They have similar flower shapes and similar flowering periods.

The flowering period of peony is generally around mid-to-late April, and the flowering period of peony is generally around mid-to-early May.

The most important reason why the two flowers are planted together in the park is to extend the viewing time and give everyone a better flower-viewing experience .

If it is a large flower viewing garden, people will interplant peonies and herbaceous peonies, which can not only extend the flowering period but also bring the fun of identification and appreciation.

Because many people take advantage of holidays to bring their wives, children and even the elderly out to enjoy the scenery. While enjoying the scenery, it is inevitable that they teach their children to play some recognition games, which adds a lot of fun!