8. Jiangnan Cultivar Group

In this book, "Jiangnan" refers to the region of middle and lower reaches of the Yangtse River with the Yangtse River Delta as center. The region includes Shanghai (Fig.8-1,8-2), Jiangsu (middle south part), Zhejiang(middle north part), Anhui (southeast part), and some regions of Hubei, Jiangxi and Hunan . It also includes Taiwan and other places where a little tree peonies are cultivated.

8.1 General Statements

8.1.1 Distribution

Wild tree peony is rare in Jiangnan, only Paeonia ostii distributes in southeastern part of Anhui dispersely. Tree peony' s cultivation area is wide, but concentrated production areas is few with only Tongling, Anhui Province is one of the cultivation bases of tree peony for medical usage in China (Fig.8-3,8-10).

8.1.2 History

Cultivation of Jiangnan Tree Peony Began from the Tang Dynast Xie Lingyun' s sentence "there are many tree peonies alon rivers and bamboo forest in Yongjia"(Co//ecft'on of Xie K.L.) is th earliest record which referred to Jiangnan tree peony. Xie was fror Yangxia, Chenjun of Nanyang (currently north to Taikang Count of Henan Province) and he once took up the post of satrap c Yongjia (Its administrative office is in today' s Wenzhou, Zhejian Province).

There are documents about Yuezhong (including Hangzhou) an Lushan tree peonies in Tang Dynasty. In Tang Dynasty, Fan Shu' s Yu. Xi You Yi (821 - 824) recorded that "When Bai Juyi just arrived i: Qiantang, he asked people to look for tree peony, and found that only th monk Huicheng in Kaiyuan Temple recently got some plants from th places near the capital and planted in the garden, but could find in othe

Figure 8-2 The hundred years old peony protected by Shanghai garden department

Figure 8-1 Peony Garden of Shanghai Botanical Garden

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Figure 8-3 Antarctic Peony Garden In Ningguo, Anhui

Figure 8-4 Peony Garden in Cixi, Zhejiang

places. At that time, it was just the end of the spring and Huicheng shaded the flowers with linoleum. Since then, people there all divided shoots from it and planted in their gardens", This is the first time in the history which record that tree peonies was transplanted from the north to the south. Also, in Tang Dynasty, Xuyin' s two poems recorded that there were already tree peonies in Shaoxing, middle of Zhejiang. hi addition, Li Xianyong of Tang also wrote apoem Yuan Gong Ting Mu Dan as "the Buddhist guest from Yanmen is singing praise for the Spring Kiosk, and tree peony is the most outstanding ones among all flowers". Yuan Gong Ting is the name of a kiosk in Donglin Temple at the foot of Lu shan Mountain.

Development was in Full Blossom in Song Dynasty, and an Embryonic Form of Cultivars Appeared

There was a prosperous period of Jiangnan tree peony and there were many documents in Song Dynasty. The earliest is Yue Zhong Mu Dan Hua Pin written by Zhong Xiu(986), this is the earliest record of Chinese tree peony. Unfortunately this book is lost and only its preface is preserved. Zhong Xiu said that "people in Yue liked tree peony very

much, and there are 32 kinds of beautiful tree peony cultivars. Many famous families cultivated tree peony everywhere in there houses, such as in the temples, near pond and pavilion." After that, Li Shu wrote Qing Li Hua Pin, and recorded that there are 42 kinds of tree peony cultivars in Wudi (currently Suzhou and Wuxian regions in Jiangsu Province). This proves that there were many tree peonies cultivated in southern part of Jiangsu Province during the period of Qingli (1041-1048). Two edition Report of Luoyang Tree Peony(Luoyang Mudan Ji) written by Ouyang Xiu (1034) and Zhou Shihou (1082) respectively once recorded that "tree peony was produced by Yuezhou", and among the cultivars, there was ' Yue shan Honglouzi' which was double and pink and originally came from Kuaiji. This proves that tree peony cultivars of Zhejiang have been introduced to Luoyang. In Song Dynasty, tree peonies were already widely planted in the southeast of Anhui. In Li Gangs poem wrote that it was so wonderful to see this beautiful flower which was so similar to ' Shouan Qianyehong'. We hadn' t imagined that Yishe, a place in remote mountains, can have such elegant flowers. Yishe is today' s Yixian County and shexian County in Anhui. In addition, Yang Wanli poet (1127-1206) has a poem Yong Ji Xi Dao Zhong Mu Dan Er Zhong, whose foreword described the characteristics of two cultivars (' Sitou Fenhong' and ' Chongtai Jiuxin Danzi') in detail. He also had a poem singing praise for ' Baihua Qingyuan Mudan' and said that this cultivar is different from ' Oubi' recorded by Lu You, and even better than Luoyang' s ' Yao Huang'.

In Bei Song Dynasty, plantation of tree peonies in Zhejiang has been expanded to the yards of common families, especially temples (Zhu Shu Zhen Former Collection Vol. 3). Nan Song can only kept its government in Jiangnan, and move the capital to Hangzhou, so it is also the peak of tree peony cultivation in Zhejiang (Fig.8-4). In the palace, viewing tree peony was once a vogue. During that period, two sides of West Lake all planted tree peony, and the farmers also hawk flowers. There are also the record that tree peonies bloomed in the fall and the winter. For example, when Sushi was the procurator of Hangzhou, he' d ever viewed tree peonies blooming in the winter, and wrote that "the red flowers is so glory that it seems that the spring is coming back and the snow and frost should gone" (Wu Zimu' s Meng Liang Lu in Song Dynasty).

In Song Dynasty, some regions of Jiangnan had ever cultivated tree peonies. Other regions include Yangzhou, Suzhou, Changzhou, Taizhou, Jinling(currently Nanjing), Yancheng in Jiangsu (Fig.8-5,8-6); De'an, Poyang in Jiangxi; Changsha in Hunan and Jinhua in Zhejiang. Besides, some poems also referred that tree peonies were also cultivated in Fujian (Minzhong). In general, in Song Dynasty Jiangnan tree peony cultivars have been developed to a certain scale, and the cultivars have almost come into being.

Ming and Qing Dynasties were another Development Climax, and Cultivars Basically came into being

In Yuan Dynasty, the development of Chinese tree peony stagnated.

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Figure 8-5 Biancang Peony Garden of Yancheng, Jiangsu

Figure 8-6 Zhibin Peony Garden of Yancheng, Jiangsu

Ming Dynasty began to recover development. When Bozhou tree peony appeared in the Zhongyuan region, Jiangyin tree peony also began to be prosperous in Jiangsu. The book Xue Pu Za Shu written by Wang Shimao(1536 -1588) in Ming Dynasty recorded that "Tree peony came from Zhongzhou, people from Jiangyin can graft it with the roots of peony, so tree peony became prosperous, and there appeared many kinds of tree peonies. Tree peony became the most popular flower in that region.' Lii Hudie', ' Dahong Shitou', 'WuQingni' and 'ChiSu' rarely bloomed. Nandu tree peony is not as good as Jiangyin tree peony, while only ' Xiguarang' is an outstanding cultivar". In addition, Wang also briefly introduced water and fertilizer management of tree peony.

Xi Hu You Lan Zhi Yu written by Tian Rucheng (who lived during the period around 1503) recorded Hangzhou tree peony. He first cited Mu Dan Ji Xu to prove the prosperity of tree peony when people enjoy them at Jixiang Temple in Hangzhou in Song Dynasty. Then he said that there were yellow, purple, red and white tree peonies in Hangzhou, while pink tree peony is the most among them. There was a tree peony with more than 100 flowers. The flowers of tree peonies came from Changhua and Fuyang were very big, and they are not smaller than those came from Luoyang.

In Ming and Qing, tree peony around Taihu Lake in Jiangsu went on to develop. Wu Za Zu written by Xie Zhaozhe in Ming Dynasty once recorded that "tree peony cultivated in northern region was low with the height of only about 1m . I saw the tree peonies in Jiaxing and Wujiang were 3m high, and they can bore about three hundreds or five hundreds flowers. This kind of tree peony could not be seen in the northern region". After that, Gui Zhuang in Qing Dynasty wrote Kan Mu Dan Ji. This book wrote about the scene that he enjoyed tree peony when he passed through Suzhou, Kunshan and Taicang (Loudong) to Jiading in 1661. He recorded'YulouChun', 'QingyunHong', 'Fuzhou Zi', 'XiaoTaohong', 'Xinghong', ' Shuijing Qiu', ' Wei Zi', ' Yipeng Xue', ' Da Taohong' and other cultivars. In this period, tree peony in the southeastern part of Anhui has been developed. Tongling has become one of the cultivation bases of tree peony for medical usage in the period of Yongle (1403-1424). From 1924 to 1926, the cultivation area reached 400hm². The output per year reached 14 000 dan (A unit of weight, about 700t). In addition, tree peony for ornamental was cultivated in Ningguo.

Ningguo Xian Zhi written in Tongzhi period of Qing Dynasty (1862 -1874) has the following records: "There were more than 50 kinds of tree peonies. According to the record of flowers, most tree peonies were cultivated in Ningguo. The old records of government offices described that yellow and white tree peonies were precious. When they were transported to Guangdong Province, the price was higher than that in Luoyang. After the Hong Yang rebellion, tree peonies were seldom cultivated."

During the Ming and Qing period, especially after the five ports having trade relations with foreign countries in Qing Dynasty, Shanghai tree peonies began to develop. Tree peonies in Shanghai "were most prosperous in Fahua Temple. There were many cultivars, and it was the best in Southeast so it was called Little Luoyang"(ShanghaiXian Zhi edited in 1871). Besides, Fahua Xiang Zhi also recorded that Fahua tree peonies were "first introduced from Luoyang, and if using graft method, using tender buds as scions to graft on the root of herbaceous tree peonies with single flowers. Different from Luoyang, it grows better in sandy soil, and can' t grow vigorous in elsewhere. Hence, even though planting in the city people also use the soil taken from Fahua Temple, but the flowers still can' t be as vigorous and beautiful as in theTemple, so Fahua Temple was called Little Luoyang". During Qianjia period, Li's Congxi Garden was even more prosperous. The flowers bloomed full of the flower bed with all colors, each plant beared one flower which was as big as the plate which worth ten thousands Qian (a unit of coin). People living around or far away all came to appreciate. This report recorded 32 Fahua cultivars.

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Figure 8-7 'Luoyang Hong ' in bloom in Shanghai Pudong Tree Peony Garden

On the basis of re-prosperity of Jiangnan tree peony, in Mu Dan Pu written by Ji Nan in Qing Dynasty, recorded 43 cultivars that he introduced from Caozhou, Shandong and Bozhou, Anhui to Jiaxing and 60 cultivars he introduced from Wuxian, Jiangsu and the surrounding areas of Taihu Lake (including the self-bred cultivars). He also summarized the cultivation experiences of Jiangnan tree peony.

In general, Jiangnan tree peony cultivars came into being by the end of Qing Dynasty. The main cultivation areas include: (1) Shanghai, (2) South part of Jiangsu, (3) Hangzhou in Zhejiang and the surrounding areas and (4) Southeastern part of Anhui.

Shanghai Tree Peony's Development and its Historical Contribution in Modern Times

Shanghai tree peony began to develop in Ming Dynasty and reached its peak in Qing Dynasty. In 1909, Huang Yueyuan prepared to construct "Zhenru Garden" in Shanghai where tree peonies were widely planted. According to Hua Jing written by Huang Yueyuan and his son, Huang Delin, "there were many kinds of tree peonies. In Zhenru Garden, there were more than 400 kinds and the variety of tree peony was increasing each year." During the war of resistance against aggression, Zhenru Garden was totally destroyed. Later, it was rebuilt in Gao' an Road, and after serious-minded management, it achieved great success.

In modern time, Shanghai, as window of China, has two things that are worthy to be mentioned in term of development of tree peony. First is the output of Chinese tree peonies. In 1787, Chinese tree peonies had been introduced and planted to Kew Garden in Britain from Guangzhou, but the introduction in term of practice was from Shanghai. 1843 - 1945, Robert Fortune, a famous plants collection specialist, sent by Britain Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), came to Shanghai, collected some cultivars of tree peonies and planted them in the garden of RHS, but they didn' t survive. In 1845 - 1851, Robert Fortune came to China again and successfully introduced more than 30 cultivars. In the survey, Robert Fortune found that the tree peonies in different regions were significantly different, and some of them were reproduced by graft with the roots of herbaceous peonies. He collected all the best tree peonies and the herbaceous peonies used for grafting, and also introduced the grafting method to Britain. In 1880, he came to China for the third time especially for the introduction of a kind of tree peony with clove-purple blue flowers. Second is the input of foreign tree peonies. From the beginning of 20th century to 1930s, Huang Garden in Shanghai and Zhongshanling in Nanjing had introduced tree peonies from Japan and France. Although these cultivars had been destroyed in the war of resistance against aggression, they set a precedent. In 1979, China introduced tree peonies from foreign countries again. Since 1981, Shang hai Botanical Garden has introduced tree peonies for many times from Japan, France and America and has achieved success and accumulated some experiences.

8.1.3 Cultivar Constitution

Current Cultivars and Their Origins

Jiangnan tree peony cultivars' constitution is complicated. According to Mu Dan Pu written by Ji Nan in Qing Dynasty, 43 cultivars were introduced from North China to Jiaxing, Zhejiang, his hometown, accounting for 41.7%. 60 cultivars have been collected in Shanghai, the surrounding areas of Taihu Lake and southeastern Anhui, accounting for 58.3%. In the period of the Republic of China, there were more than 400 cultivars in Huang Garden in Shanghai. But today there are only less than 30 cultivars in Jiangnan which means that the lost of cultivars is very severe.

Current Jiangnan tree peony cultivars consist of the following kinds:

Traditional Cultivars This kind of "old cultivars"is no more than 20 and their origins are very complicated. The first origin is local species which are the cultivars evolved from P.ostii and usually called "Feng Dan"series. In the past, they were cultivated for medical usage. Second is some cultivars preserved after many years of domestication when Zhongyuan tree peonies were moved to the south, such as Ningguo tree peonies'' Hui Zi' series. Third is the offspring of crossbreeding using Zhongyuan tree peony cultivars which were moved to the south and some local cultivars such as ' Yu Lou', ' Fengwei' and etc. Fourth are the cultivars of Northwest tree peonies which were kept after a long period of domestication, such as 'Zi Pao' (' Yancheng Hong'). Traditional cultivars distribute in every areas dispersedly, and they are also fairly resistant to hot and humid weather.

Cultivars Introduced from Domestic Areas or Abroad In recent years, some cultivars have been introduced to some regions of Jiangnan from some domestic producing regions and Japan and so on. Among these cultivars, some, especially Zhongyuan cultivars, have been eliminated through selection. But some wet and heat tolerant cultivars have been reserved. In-depth summary is needed. Newly Selected and Bred Cultivars These cultivars mostly selected from the offspring of crossbreeding by 'Feng Dan' series cultivars or Yancheng tree peonies (' Zi Pao', ' Yancheng Fen') as female parents and Zhongyuan tree peony cultivars as male parents. They have a strong adaptabil-

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Figure 8-9 Guoqing temple peony ofTiantai mountain in Zhejiang

Figure 8-11 Peony Garden ofDonghu Scenery and Penjing Institute, Wuhan

Figure 8-8 Huagang Guanyu Tree Peony Garden ofHangzhou, Zhejiang

ity to local climate.

The Comparison of the Adaptabilities of Introduced Cultivars

The region of Jiangnan has introduced a lot of tree peonies from many areas. The introduction result shows that the original cultivars of Jiangnan perform best, and the Xinan cultivars and the Japanese cultivars which used to grow in the similar climate with that of Jiangnan also perform well. It should be noted that if Xibei Paeonia rockii is properly maintained, a lot of cultivars can grow and bloom normally in Shanghai and Wuhan.

The region of Jiangnan has introduced many Zhongyuan tree peonies during a long period. The tree peonies which are introduced from high longitude to low longitude often show inadaptability. First is the inadaptability to climate of high temperature and humidity. They are easy to get illness, defoliate early, but tend to shoot up in the fall. Second is the winter can' t satisfy the bud' s requirement for low temperature in the dormancy period. But different cultivars have different responses and the difference is significant. According to the introduction situation in Shanghai and Nanjing (Zhu Cheng 2002), the following points could be concluded:

First: The cultivars bloom basically normal include ' Shou' an Hong', ' Zangzhi Hong', ' Jinpao Hong', ' Zhuangyuan Hong', ' Luoyang Hong', ' Shengdanlu', "Wulong Pengsheng', 'ZhushaLei', 'JingYu', 'Zilankui', and so on. The survival rate of some cultivars are low, but they can bloom normally if they can survive, such as ' Dahu Hong', ' Zhao Fen', ' Qinglong Womochi', and so on. The good-performance cultivars introduced by Pudong Tree Peony Garden in Shanghai include 'Luoyang Hong'Fig. 8-7, 'Wulong Pengsheng', 'Zhao Fen', 'ZhiHong', ' Zipao Jindai', ' Zui Lan', ' Luhe Hong', ' Shou' an Hong', ' Er Qiao', ' Zhusha Lei', ' Bao Chun', ' Baixueta', ' Hu Hong', and so on. According to the observation of Landscape Institute, Agricultural Science College of Jiangsu Province from 1996 to 1997, the cultivars perform well include 'Lan Furong', 'Sai Xueta', 'Baihua Congxiao', 'Huangjin Cui', ' Nihong Huancai', 'HehuaLii', 'CaozhouHong', ' Wulong Pengsheng', ' Shou' an Hong', ' Guanshi Moyu', and so on.

Second: Pay attention to the improvement of cultivation condition and the selection of microenvironment. The first one is to improve the soil and pay attention to

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Figure 8-10 Peony cultivation bases for medical usage in Tangling Fenghuang mountain in Anhui

drainage. The tree peonies planted in high places grow better than those planted in flat. The second one is to prevent direct sunshine, the tree peonies under big trees to shade sunshine grow better than those without shade. The third one is to build waterproof covering in rainy season to mitigate illness. Besides, we should introduce the tree peonies which are strong and 3-4 year old. After introduction, replace old branches with new ones because generally new shoots grow better than old ones. Donghu Lake Scenery Area Wuhan introduced Xibei tree peonies and planted them in high mound (Fig. 8-11). They perform well in both survival ratio and growth.

Third: After Zhongyuan tree peonies were moved to the south and cultivated for many years, leaf form, flower form, flower color and flowering period will change to different degree. For instance, the leafe of 'Dou Lii'becomes long and big, has less incision, and the termination changes from short and pointed to long and pointed. The flower color of ' Shou' an Hong' becomes lighter and not as dark as in the original place. The flower form of ' Wulong Pengsheng' also changed. In addition, the root type of some culti-vars also changed. The thick roots grown in the original places rot gradually and the new roots spread around. The thick roots are few, but fibrous roots are many. Some cultivars have obvious phenomenon of on-year/off-year.

8.1.4 Development Prospect

Jiangnan tree peonies have a history of more than 1 000 years, and they also have a good mass basis. Huagang Guanyu Tree Peonies Garden of Hangzhou established in 1950s has important achievements in both garden arts and plants design. (Fig. 8-8) This makes Jiangnan tree peonies reappear their resplendence, and has an important significance. In the future, during a considerably long period, the adjustment of cultivar constitution and the problem of cultivation technique should be solved.

First: After a long period of cultivation, tree peonies in Jiangnan region have formed some wet and hot resistant cultivars,

which are the basis of the development of Jiangnan tree peonies. The primary task in the future is to use these cultivars to breed new cultivars which have rich flower colors, forms and other variations and are suitable to the climate in Jiangnan. The adjustment of cultivar constitution should focus on local cultivars (including those that were introduced from other domestic areas and abroad, but have get used to the local environment) and also use the multiple cultivar strategy to meet people' s increasing sentiment and demand for beauty.

Second: The key link for further development is to take different measures and plant proper cultivars in proper places according to different cultivar origins and ecological habits. More methods can be used to solve the problem of planting proper cultivars in proper places due to the development of modern cultivation technology. Local cultivars which have get used to local climate only need some simple management, but the good cultivars introduced from the North which can' t get used to the wet and hot climate in Jiangnan region need better cultivation measures to meet their requirement of growth and development. Because the flower seasons of tree peonies are different in the places where they are introduced from, the whole flower season can be prolonged to about 30 days.

Third: Under the current economic and technological conditions, the problem of the further movement of tree peonies toward the South can be solved by using the change of temperature according to different elevation (The temperature reduces 0.6°C when the elevation increases 100m) (Fig.8-9) For instance, the elevation of Kengtou Village, Longshan Town, Wuyuan county, Jiangxi Province is 200m and the annual mean temperature is 16.3°C. The 700-year-old tree peonies can flower and bear fruit normally (Wang De' e Wang Zonghai 1999) there. The elevation of Shuangxi Town, Pingnan County, Fujian Province is 810m. The annual mean temperature is 15.2 °C and annual precipitation is 1858.3mm. The frost-free period is 237 days. The 200-year-old tree peonies (flowers are pink, stamens and pistils are totally petaloid) can still flower normally (Li Qingdao etc 1992) there. The Japanese tree peonies introduced to Taiwan are also often planted in gardens in high elevation (Lin Jinyi 1975).

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Figure 8-12 The comparison of roots between Jiangnan Peony and Zhongyuan Peony left: the roots of Zhongyuan Peony; right:the roots of Jiangnan Peony

Table 8-1 Major climate factors in the production areas of Jiangnan tree peonies

8.2 Cultivation Technique

8.2.1 Ecological Habits and Growth Characteristics

Ecological Habits

The elevation of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtse River is low (usually 5-100m). It is hot and moist in summer and dry and cold in winter. It is northern subtropical climate. The main climate factors in the cultivation areas are as in Table 8.1. The annual mean temperature of Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province at the northern part of this region is 14.4 °C, the annual precipitation is 977.4mm and the frost-free period is 213.8 days. It is located in the transitional region from northern subtropical climate to warm temperate zone. The tree peony cultivars can adapt the climate in Jiangnan and belong to hot and humid resistant ecotype.

Blossom Phenophases

The growth stages of tree peonies are close associated with the variation of air temperature. Based on observation, when the average air temperature is higher than 3-5 °C (20^th Jan. to 14^th Feb.), it is the bud expanding period, 5 -11°C (14^th Feb. to 20^th Mar.) is bud appearance and establishing period, 11-15°C (20^th Mar. to 15^th Apr.) is flat bud and round bud period, and above 15°C (after 15^th Apr.) is blossom period. When the temperature varies much, they will bloom in advance or delay the flower season. Especially in the end of March, Shanghai will be affected by cold waves so that the buds of some cultivars will shrink and have difficulty to bloom. Also, Landscape Institute of Suzhou City observed the phenophases of 10 introduced Ningguo cultivars (in 1998), and found bud expanding period is 15^th to 19^th Feb., and bud appearance period is from 19^th to 27^th Feb., bud bursting period is 30^th Mar. to 7^th Apr., early blossom period is 4^th (' Yu Lou') to 11^th Apr. (' Yun Fang'), full blossom period is 5^th to 12^th April, and wither period is 13^th to 16^th Apr.. For one flower, average blossom period is 7 to 8 days, and only ' Yun Fang' (5 days) and ' Yu Lou' (6 days) is shorter. The introduced Heze cultivars' early blossom period is from 7^th to 12^th Apr., and full blossom period is from 8^th to 17^th Apr., but it varies from cultivar to cultivar. In 1996, the mean temperature of April was a

little lower, so the blossom period was around 26^th April.

Growth Characteristics

Besides some common growth characteristics of tree peonies, Jiangnan tree peonies also have some special characteristics as folio wings:

First: Different groups have different growth conditions, but most cultivars have the same characteristics as P. ostii whose plants are high; growth is stout, shoots are seldom and adaptability is strong.

Second: The evolution extent of different groups and cultivars differs greatly. Feng Dan series and newly selected and cultivated cultivars are mostly single, or semi- double. The evolution extent of traditional cultivars is high. Proliferation form account for a large percentage, the flora differentiation needs a long time, flora organs have a big quantity which can reach 1,000 to 1,400. Both single and proliferation form all depend on asexual reproduction.

Third: The root system of traditional cultivars is shallow, but the lateral roots are many and root systems are flourishing. It can reach more than 1m long (Fig.8-12). Some cultivars are also water resistant, have many shoots and are easy to renew and rejuvenate.

8.2.2 Propagation

Seeding

Seeding is mainly used for crossbreeding and tree peonies for medical usage such as ' Feng Dan' and etc. Selection of seeds should be noted in medical usage cultivation. The seeds born by 5-year-old plant are usually plump. They should be the main resources of seed selection.

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Before blossom, strong buds should be preserved and the bad or late growing buds should be excised. The impurity among seeds should be eliminated before seeding, soak seeds for 1 -2 hours, keep the well-developed seeds, and eliminate the ill-developed seeds.

Seeding in the same year after the seed was harvested. To the places where are rainy such as Tongling, seed in high bed. Firstly, scatter fully decayed dung in the seedling furrow or holes, and then put the seeds inside. Mulch with cogongrass to keep moist and avoid impact of rain after covering soil. Remove the cogongrass in the next February. The seedling will come out of soil in the mid or late February, and they will spread their leaves after half a month. The growth of seedlings mainly depends on base fertilizer. Reinforce the management of two-year-old seedlings, water and fertilize in time, and scarify to keep moist after rain.

One-year-old seedlings can be transplanted if they get proper management. When they are transplanted, seedlings of different sizes should be separated. Big ones should be used for planting. Small plants are planted densely again and then transplanted when they grow up. Row spacing usually is 60cm x 50cm or 2 200 holes per 667m². To one-year-old seedlings, 2 plants should be planted in one hole, while to two-year-old seedlings, plant 1 plant each hole.

Vegetative Propagation

Dividing Dividing is the most convenient propagation method. If new seedlings have good root system, they can flower in the second or third year. The four- or five-year-old plants are suitable for dividing. Dividing time can be in the mid or late October. At the same time, transplanting should be carried out.

Grafting Branch grafting is often used. Roots of herbaceous peony or tree peony with single petals can be used as stocks. 'Heilou Zi' which is water and wet tolerant and has a strong adaptability is used for stock so that the adaptability of the grafted cultivars can be improved. When herbaceous peony roots are used as stocks, the roots can be dug out and dry for one or two days. After inserting, tight them with rope, and daub the cuts with wet yellow soil. Grafting time should be from the mid or late September to the early or mid October. The yellow tree peony cultivars introduced from foreign country should be grafted in the late August. Using this method, the cuts are easy to concrescence and the survival rate can be improved. The grafted seedlings should be planted on high rectangular vegetable bed. The cuts of grafting seedlings should be 6-10cm under the ground. They can' t be watered in one month after planting. Prevent them from being caught by rain. If draught happens, water them from one side. In the next spring when they burgeon, dig up the soil above them. If use tree peonies roots as stocks, seedlings for stocks should be cultivated. When dividing 'Heilou Zi' and other cultivars, divide thick root shoot seedlings from others. The graft method is the same as described above.

Layering To the cultivars with many root shoots, we can cut the stems underground and make hurt deep to half of the diameter, then cover it with fine soil. In the fall (mid October), check the hurt, and if it has been concrescent and grown out roots, cut it from the plants and plant in the seed bed.

8.2.3 Cultivation and Care

The Selection of Cultivar and Site

Selection of Cultivar The cultivation of tree peonies in the region of Jiangnan should select proper cultivars which should be

wet and hot tolerant. In the southern areas, we should choose the cultivars whose floral buds need less coldness in the winter. These cultivars are composed by the following types. (1) The original local cultivars in the region of Jiangnan; (2) The good offspring of crossbreeding by "Ku Zhi Mu Dan" growing in Yancheng, Jiangsu as female parent and Zhongyuan tree peony as male parent; (3) The proper cultivars selected from Zhongyuan tree peonies introduced to the south and (4) The good cultivars introduced from Xinan and foreign countries which have get used to the local environment.

Site Selection Tree peony garden and nursery should be selected at high places with porous soil, good drainage and a little shade. Waterlogging should be avoided by all means. Gradual slopes are convenient for drainage and the growth of tree peonies. Southern region are suitable to establish gardens and plant tree peonies at the place exposed to the sun and its elevation is high.

A little acid, neutral, and a little alkalinity (pH 6.0 - 7.5) sandy loam which is rich of humus is better. Heavy soil should be improved. The soil mixed by 1/3 composting of manure and 2/3 garden soil is better in Shanghai Botanical Garden. The nursery should be ploughed one month before planting.

Planting

The planting time is from the mid October to the mid November. The mid October is the best time, because the cut can scar over and grow out 5cm long new root.

The root system of Jiangnan tree peonies are shallow, but the root cap is big, for example, the roots of Ningguo tree peonies are 16cm long, and the root cap is 49cm x 38cm.

The size of the hole is usually 30cm in length and width, 30 -40cm in depth. Scatter base fertilizer on the bottom of the hole. When planting, the root collar should be at the same height with earth or 2 - 3 cm higher than it. When planting, spread the roots, earth up layer by layer. If the root system is very watery, dry it for one or two days in the shade and plant after it turns soft. If the bottom soil of the field is heavy, plant it in the high beds, or the deep plantation hole will accumulate water which will seriously impact the survival and growth of tree peonies.

Care

Plants Care Common care: In the first year of plantation, try to reduce the number of flowers. Most of buds should be eliminated as soon as possible. Pay attention to the selection and preservation of shoots at base, and cultivate round crown. Unnecessary shoots should be trimmed in time or can be used as scions in grafting in autumn.

Special Care The newly introduced cultivars should be shaded in the summer to prevent burgeon in the fall. Artificial sunshade should be carried from the end of May to the end of September. The sunshade net density should be 75%, and the height is 2.5m, so that there is moderate sunshine and good ventilation. The traditional cultivars in Jiangnan commonly don't burgeon in the autumn, but sometimes 60% of the cultivars that were moved to the south will burgeon in the fall if they shed leaves early. The key strategy to prevent is to protect the leaves and the roots. The major measures include: ©Timely man-made sunshade. ©Prevent leaf spot disease after blossom. From May to September, spray 1:1:180 Bordeaux mixture or 1 000 times solution of 20% Thiophanate-methyl. Every 10 to 15 days spray 1 time. (3)Pay

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attention to ventilation in the nursery. ©Drainage in time should be noticed in continuously rainy days. ©Watering should be controlled if defoliation happens.

Soil Management

First, pay attention to watering when in draught and drainage when it often rains.

Second, fertilizing correctly. It can be fertilized tree times a year. The first time is operated from the late March to early April. The second time is in the half of the month after flowering, usually in the early and mid May. The third time is before winter. The first two times mainly use the steep of bean cake and 0.2% potassium dihydrogen or urea as supplement. Base fertilizing in the fall mainly use the fermentative cake fertilizer.

Third, weeding and earth cover. In the summer, weeding timely is necessary with the growth of weeds. If cover the field with green grass and straw, it can keep moist, decrease soil temperature, prevent weeds from growing, enhance the fertility of the soil, and prevent the leaves from pollution by the dirt bespattered with rainwater.

8.2.4 Pot Planting of Tree Peonies

Pot planting of tree peonies is one of the common planting forms in the region of Jiangnan (Fig.8-13). Pot planting has the advantages of flexible movement and convenient management. Placing them in the living rooms can decorate people' s lives. They can also be put in halls, public places and exhibitions as decoration. Using flower forcing technique, the objective to provide flowers around the year can be realized.

Cultivar Selection

Cultivars for pot planting should be selected. The cultivars should be easy to bloom, have large quantity of flowers, bright colors,and flowers are higher than leaves, well developed root system, vigorous, and can form cultivar series. For family appreciation, 8 to 10 cultivars is fine, for decoration in public spaces, some 20 ones is necessary, and for thematic exhibitions, the number of cultivars should be more than 40. The root systems of Jiangnan traditional cultivars are shallow. They are suitable for pot planting, e.g. 'HeilouZi', 'HongFurong' in the region of Cixi, Zhejiang Province and ' Si Xuan', ' Xishi', ' Fen Lian', ' Yulou Zi', Yun Fang' in the region of Ningguo, Anhui Province. Among Zhongy uan tree peonies, the cultivars of 'Shou' an Hong', 'Luoyang Hong' ('Zi Erqiao') and 'Hu Hong' 'Rou Furong' which have adapted the wet and hot climate in the region of Jiangnan are also suitable. In recent years, after the experiment and selection in Landscape Architecture Research Institute of Suzhou, the researchers thought that among Zhongyuan tree peonies ' Kunshan Yeguang' ('Yeguang Bai'), 'LanBaoshi', 'LantianYu', ' Qinglong Womochi', ' Dazong Zi', ' Ousi Kui' and ' Zhao Fen' are suitable for pot planting in the region of Jiangnan.

Cultivation of Pot-Planted Seedlings

Pot planting should select the 3- to 4-year-old seedlings propagated by dividing or grafting. The herbaceous peony seedlings propagated by seeding have many fibres, their sizes are regular, stems are not prone to break, and the plants are vigorous so they are best stocks for grafting of pot-planting tree peonies. To this kind of stocks, 2- or 3-year-old seedlings are the best. The

grafting method is the same as previously described, and it is often carried out in October. Seedlings grafted according to this method are vigorous. Half of them can have floral buds in the same year, and after two years almost all can form floral buds and become regular pot-planted young plants. Beside, using the root of eilou Zi', a cultivar has strong adaptability, as stocks to graft other good cultivars also have good performance.

Selection and Management of Seedlings

The plants with good figures, strong stems, full root systems, and without pests and illnesses should be selected. The size depends on the different situations. If culture mini tree peonies, the seedlings with two or three floral buds are suitable because their costs are low and they are also convenient for package and transport after planting.

Figure 8-13 Pot planting of tree peony 'Heilou Zi'

If for ornamental in halls, the seedlings with 3 or 5 floral buds should be selected. If used in thematic exhibition, those with 5 to 7 floral buds are better. Before planting, trim and sterilize the seedlings are necessary. Prune redundant branches and root shoots. If one branch has two floral buds, prune the smaller one and keep the bigger one. After trimming, sterilize the whole plants by digging into pesticide quickly, and then put them in shade to dry.

Preparation of Cultivation Soil

Cultivation soil should be prepared before planting. It should be loosen, loamy, drainable , ventilate and without germ and eggs of pests., but can contain fertilizer and water. Directions for making it are different in different places. The following one can be used as reference:

First, mix garden soil, peat, horse dung, coarse sand in the ratio of 3: 3: 2: 2, and then mix with urine and human feces which has a weight of 1/3 that of the same volume of soil. Then pile up the mixture and mix it once a month until fully decayed.

Second, mix garden soil, perlite, wooden bits, hen dung, and horse dung in the ratio of 2:2:3:2:1, among them wooden bits, hen

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dung and horse dung must be fully decayed.

Third, mix garden soil, cinder, sawdust, sandy soil and other elements in the ratio of 7:1:1:0.5:0.5, pile up to decay, and use it after half a year. The other elements mentioned include ferrous sulphate, calcium perphosphate, borax, cake fertilizer, fish powder, compound fertilizer, dry dung and etc. In Suzhou they also use field soil and plant ash (7:3), If pay attention to the management of water and fertilizer during growing period, it can achieve good effect. Some small things, such as small carpolite, broken tile, palm bark, or broken shell of clam, should be put in the bottom of the pot to make drainage easy. To kill the germ in the cultivation soil, spray cultivation soil with 500 times formalin or potassium permanganate 10 kg/m³. When spraying, dig the soil at the same time, and finally, envelop it with plastic mulch and fumigate for 7 to 10 days. To kill pests and eggs, spray 3% furane 1 kg/m³ and then mix it with the soil fully.

Selection of Pots

The pots for pot-planted tree peonies should select Yixing Pots or imitative Yixing Pots. Because biscuiting mud pots are crisp, they should not be used or only be seldom used. Tree peonies pots should be deep tube-shaped, pot wall should be thick, solid and easy for water and air to filtered through. The size of pots should be selected according to the size and age of tree peonies. For instance, 25 cm (caliber, the same as the following) x 20cm(depth, the same as the following), 30cm x 25cm, 35cm x 30cm, 40cm x 35cm and etc. Tree peonies can be planted in plastic pots temporarily for the convenience of carrying. They should be put into earthenware pots after arrival. For mass cultivation, tree peonies can be planted in mud pots, and when exhibiting, put them into Yixing pots or porcelaneous pots together with the mud pots.

Planting Time and Method

Pot planted tree peonies are often planted into the pots in the mid October. After trimming of plants, sterilizing of plants and soil, we can begin to plant. Firstly, cover the drainage hole of the pot with a piece of tile, and infill base soil which is about 1/4 high of the pot. Put the plant in the center of the pots, arrange the roots, and then add cultivation soil. When the total height of soil is 1/2 of the pot, press the soil and go on to infill cultivation soil until it is 5cm lower than the pot brim. Lift the plant softly to make the root collar or the joint of grafting 3-4 cm deep in the soil, and then press the soil. After planting, water thoroughly. However, if the soil is wet or the plants just been transported from the north, put them in shade without watering to prevent them from germination in the fall. Base fertilizing should be avoided, and grains of compound fertilizer also shouldn' t be applied on the soil surface.

Key Points of Maintenance

Watering Tree peony pots should be placed on high places, and put 1-2 mud brick to make drainage easy. Water only after the soil is dry, and irrigate thoroughly to the extent that keep the soil moist. In the summer, water times are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. During hot season, water time should be even after 8 p.m., and make sure that there is no extra water in pots.

Fertilizing Fertilizing is critical to the quantity and size of flowers. Organic fertilizer should be mainly used with compound fertilizer as supplement. Dunk cake fertilizer into pool (jar), let it ferment fully and turn into thick liquor, then add 3 to 4 times of

water and use it as fertilizer. The principle that "Lertilize a little but many times" is necessary. Fertilize once a week during growth period, and once every 2 to 3 days during flowering period. At the same time, spray 0.2% monopotassium phosphate on the leaves once a week in 4-5 sequent weeks. In the winter, apply fertilizer with high concentration. When tree peony burgeons in early spring, scatter 10-15g multiple fertilizer each pot. It should be noted that multiple fertilizer should be scattered on the edge of pot and water 1-2 times immediately for better dissolution and absorption.

Pruning Remove the root shoots in the spring and fall. Before blossom pinch redundant buds according the principle that one branch has one buds, and remove the smaller buds and keep the bigger ones. To the cultivars which grow a lot in a year and have long internodes such as 'Luoyang Hong', to prevent the bud position from moving outwards, remove the first axillary bud and withered flowers when axillary buds just come into being, and let the second one develop.

Pest and Illness Prevention and Cure Enlarging the distance between pots to promote ventilation is an important measure to prevent illness of pot planted plants. In addition, spray 50% carbendazim 1,000 times solution or 70% thiophanate 800-1,000 times solution every 10-15 days from May to September. Once find pests, clear them in time.

Preventing Damp and Hotness in Summer The damp and hot weather in summer and rainy season in the region of Jiangnan is disadvantageous for the growth of pot-planted tree peonies. This is also the season for tree peonies to get leaf illness. Besides spray pesticide in time, move the pot-planted tree peonies to the well-ventilated places where can avoid rain, or build temporary half-transparent waterproof canopy. From the end of May and the end of September, man-made sun shade should be provided. The man-made sun-shade net should be 75% in density and 2.5m in height. If being managed properly, local cultivars begin to shed leaves till November. The tree peonies being introduced to the South shed leaves till October.

Protection from Coldness in the Winter The low temperature in the region of Jiangnan in winter is about -5 °C. Dig a hole on earth, and then put the pot-planted tree peonies in the hole. Cover the surface with sawdust to protect the tree peonies properly in winter.

Changing Pot Under the painstaking management, the plants grow bigger and bigger. Changing pot every 2 years is necessary. In October, take out the tree peonies with the soil from the pot. Trim unnecessary old roots and remove some old earth. Put them in the pot again and add new nutritious soil.

8.2.5 Control of Pests and Illnesses

Major Illnesses and Their Control

Cladosporium Paeoniae Red Spot Red spot is also called herbaceous peony brown spot, which is a common disease. It happens in both the south and the north cultivation areas.

Symptom andpathogeny: Red spot mainly damages the leaves, but it also infects stems, leafstalk, sepals, petals, fruits and seeds. Lesion on the leaves is green needle point liked sunken bright spot which projects from the back of the leaves upwards, and then the spot will expand to a nearly round lesion whose diameter is 3-5 mm. The lesion on leaves is purplish red or yellowish brown with many rings. In humid environment, the lesion on the back of the leaves

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has dark green mildew layer, which is the conidium of the pathogen. If serious, the lesions will link together and the whole leave will wither. The lesions on the stems and branches are round or elliptical, reddish brown or dark purple and a little raised, base of leafstalk or the crotches of branches will appear dark brown canker spot. The infected part is easy to break. The lesions on sepals, petals and fruits are purple raised small spots. The pathogeny is Cla-dosporium paeoniae Pass.

Regulity of this illness: The germ lives on the remnant of infected plants as mycelium during the winter. In the spring, it will produce conidium which disperses by the wind and rain. It can infect the plants directly or through the hurts on them. It can happen during the period from the spring when the flowers withered to the fall, but more seriously in the rainy and highly moist seasons. The characteristic of this illness is that the infection process is very long. It takes two to half and two months since the appearance of lesion on the leave to full development. The plants can only be infected once more, and the first infection decides the extent of damage. So if the plants are too dense, the environment is too moist, the soil is a little alkaline, the plants grow too weakly, or the infected plants are not cleared thoroughly, this disease can happen badly. The resistance of different cultivars varies.

Control methods'.

—Pay attention to drainage, clear and burn the remnants of infected plants. Cover the nursery with 15 cm-thick loamy soil in the winter, and enhance the corruption of remnants of infected plants and reduce the resource of primary infection. Mulching in the early spring can isolate the spread of pathogen which survives after the winter.

—Spray 3-5 degree lime sulphur before germination in the spring, or 50% carbendazim 600 times solution to kill the pathogen. After the leaves spread out, spray 50% carbendazim 1,000 times solution once every half a month and totally two times before blossom. After the flowers wither, spray 65% zineb 500 to 600 times solution once every two weeks. 50% thiophanate-methyl,800 times solution and bordeaux mixture (1 : 1 : 200) also have good prevention effect.

—Choose the resistant cultivars.

Brown Spot This illness is also called ring spot illness or white star illness, and it is a common illness in the leaves of tree peonies. It is often seen in the production areas of tree peonies.

Symptom and pathogeny: At the beginning, the back of leaves appear 2-10mm round spots, and the center of the lesion turns to yellowish brown and grayish brown. On the face of the leaves scatter some tiny black spots, if observing through magnifier, they look like floss and there are some concentric rings. One leave can have 20-30 lesions. The lesions can link together and form irregular big spot, and if it is serious, the leaves will wither. The ring of the dark brown spots on the back is not very obvious. Pathogenies include two types: a. Cercospom paeoniae Tehon et Dan and b. C.variicolor Wint.

Regulity of this illness: The mycelium lives through the winter in plant tissues, and in the spring it produces conidium which is the resource of primary infection. During the process of growth, the conidium releases from the infected leaves, and disperses by the wind and rain. This illness comes on badly during the typhoon and rainy season in Shanghai and Zhejiang.

Control methods:

—Remove the infected leaves in time and clear shatters in the fall.

—Spray 50% mancozeb 500 times solution, 75% chlorothalonil 800 times solution, 80% zineb 500 times solution once every 10 to 15 days for two to three times, or use the 1 : 1 : 100 mixture solution of bordeaux mixture with zineb, spray once every 7 to 10 days and totally 2 to 3 continuous times.

Wilt It is also called epidemic disease. The symptom is very similar to gray mildew, but it doesn' t produce mildew layer, so it should be noted in the plant quarantine to identify it.

Symptom and pathogeny: The stems, leaves, and buds all can be infected. At the beginning, there are some grayish green spots on the stems which look like oil stains, and then they turn to dark brown or black and form some-centimeter-long black spots. The fringe of the spots is light colored, and there is no clear boundary between lesion and the healthy tissue. If the tender stem near the soil is infected, the whole branch will turn black and enlarge to big canker which is several centimeters long. The stem above the canker will wither and die. The root collar can also be infected and rot, and lead to the death of the whole plant. The lesion on leaf is often on the lower part, which is irregular water stain-liked light brown or dark brown big spot, and then the leaf withers. The pathogeny is Phytophthora cactorum (Leb.et Cohn) Schrot.

Regularity of this illness: It lives in the remnant of infected plants as oospore, chlamydospore or mycelium. Soil temperature of 20 to 26 °C is suitable for it to grow and disperse. Rainy years are more possible for it to come on.

Control methods: The same as gray mildew.

Stem Rot It is one of the commonly seen illnesses of tree peonies.

Symptom and pathogeny: It can infect the stems and floral buds of plant. At the beginning, the stems near the earth appear some water stain-liked infected areas, and then they will rot, and at last the plant will wither and be dead. Sometimes, the tender stems will rot suddenly due to infection. In humid environment, infected areas will form white batt-liked mycelium and a lot of black sclerotium. Pathogeny is the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary.

Regularity of this illness: This fungus infects the ill plants by sclerotium and keeps in the soil. It doesn have obvious dormancy period from summer to winter. When the soil is wet, sclerotium begins to germinate and produce apothecium. Ascospores can be transmitted to the places thousands meters away by the wind. When ascospores met old or weak host, they invade the host and release a kind of enzyme which can decompose the cell or the parenchyma and form mycelial and necrotic tissue.

Control methods:

—Clear away the infected plants before sclerotium is formed, and collect the fungi in the soil and bury them deeply. It should be noted that tree peony can be rotate with vegetables. If serious, sterilize the soil. Pay attention to drainage in rainy season.

—Spray 70% thiophanate-methyl or 50% benomyl 1,000 times solution to control when the illness comes on.

Anthracnose Anthracnose of tree peony (and herbaceous peony) is also called yellow spot anthracnose, and it is one of the major illnesses to tree peony.

Symptom and pathogeny: Anthracnose can damage the stems, leaves, leafstalks, bud scales and petals etc, in which the tender tissues are most seriously hurt. The infected stems appear light red brown, oblong, some sunken small spots at the beginning, then enlarge to be irregular bigger spots, which centre are light gray, brim are light red brown. The tender stems wither rapidly. When

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the leaves are infected, yellow brown or light gray spots will appear along the veins, small and round, a little sunken, then form perforation. The damaged tender leaves wrinkle and roll up. The infected buds scales and sepals often bring out withered buds and deformed flowers. The lesion surface will appear pink and some sticky conidium piles when it is humid. Pathogeny is Colletotrichum sp.

Regularity of this illness'. This fungus lives through the winter as mycelium in the infected leaves and stems. In the next spring when the environment is suitable, mycelium will produce apoth-ecium and conidiophore. It often happens in the rainy and hot years and usually more serious in August and September when it often rains.

Control methods:

—Remove infected leaves and stems in the fall and burn them in time.

—During the initial stages in May and June, spray 65% zineb 500 times solution or 70% ziram 500 times solution every 10 to 15 days for two continuous times.

Beside the above types, there are also Coniothyrium fuckelii, Sclerotium rolfsii, Helicobasidium mompa and Rosellinia necatrix and other virus disease which should be identified and control in time.

Major Pests and Their Control

Icerya Purchasi Mask There are many kinds of scale insects do harm to tree peonies. Iceryapurchasi is one of the most harmful for tree peonies.

Regularity: Icerya purchasi has different number of generations in different places ranging from 2 to 5 a year, and different generations can overlay. In Shanghai, it has 2 to 3 generations a year, and in Luoyang it has 2 generations a year. The fertilized female imago goes through the winter and begins to do harm at the end of April. From the end of April to the beginning of May, the nymphs can be found on the whole plant. The normal living temperature for it is 23-24°C. Its egesta will breed mildew and make the infected parts turn black. The damaged stems and leaves turn yellow and grow weakly. Its natural enemies are Australian ladybeetle, small red ladybeetle, big red ladybeetle, and etc.

Control methods:

—Reinforce the quarantine, forbid the transportation of plants with pests, and check the plants carefully when introduce them.

—Spray pesticide during the peak period when many eggs are hatching out. The surface of pest which has just been hatched out has no wax (the scale doesn' t come into being), so it is easier to kill. Generally, spray pesticide once 7 to 10 days for 2 to 3 times. Spray 40% omethoate 1,000 to 1,500 times solution, 50% malathion 800 to 1,000 times solution; 50% phoxim 1,000 to 2,000 times solution. Spray to all necessary places evenly. If it has formed scale, pesticide is difficult to kill it. Beside, spouting furadan around the root that make the plant absorb it is effective.

—When scale insects are found in some branches, brush them gently with soft brush, or trim off these branches and burn together. Brush and trim clearly, and do not throw the branches casually.

—Protect and make use of natural enemies.

Snail Snail belongs to Molluscs Gastropoda Stylom-

matophora Bradybaenidae. The one often does harm to tree peonies is Gathaica fasciola (Draparnaud).

Regularity: Gathaica fasciola can propagate in large quantity in cloudy day and when the humidity is high. There are up to 100 snails on each plant. They swallow the buds and tender leaves, and cause strip hurt on the back of young leaves. They are very harmful for the stems and leaves of tree peonies. They even can eat up all the leaves and discharge much blackish green excrement with white mucus. Wherever they crawl, they leave many zonal silvery gray marks on the leaves and stems.

Control methods:

—Catch and kill grown and young snails through manual work.

—Spray 900-1,000 times pesticide of 90% trichlor-ophon, 1,000 times solution of 50% phoxim or 1,000-1,500 times solution of 20% pyrethrum emulsion for 3-4 continuous times.

—Scatter lime powder or trichlorphon powder on the places where snails often move about.

Besides Gathaica fasciola (Draparnaud), Bradgbaena ravida Benson also hurt tree peonies.

Coptotermes Formosanus Shiraki

Regularity: Besides tree peonies, herbacious peonies, the hosts of Coptotermes formosanus also include Araucaria excelsa (Norfolk Island Pine), Prunus mume (plum-blossom), P. persica f. duplex (flowering peach), and etc. The worker ants build nest in the earth and they eat the roots and branches, so that plants can grow well, leaf blades become smaller, leaves fall early, and the whole plant even dies. They are amphibious ants which can live both in earth and wood.

The ones that hurt tree peonies are worker ants of Coptotermes formosanus. The suitable temperature for their activities is 25-30 °C. When the temperature is 17 °C, they move near the main nest. They are high temperature tolerant and can live normally under the temperature of 37 °C. Their nests are usually at high places near water sources.

Control methods:

—Imago with wings is drawn to light, so it can be trapped by lamplight and killed.

—In winter, most of them are accumulated in nest. Dig nest to dig out ants along the roads that they crawl and their ventilation hole. Scatter mirex powder on the holes and roads that they crawl 8-30g each nest. Scattering arsenicals can also be used.

—Trapping and killing. Build trapping pole or put box with 30 m² in size to trap and kill white ants around the nursery where the white ants haunt. Put food that white ants likes, such as pinewood or bagasse as bait, then soak them with water that has washed rice. When they concentrate together, spray mirex, arsenicals, subarsenic acid to kill them.

—Don' t bring the plant with the nests of white ants to other places to prevent dispersing.

—The natural enemies of white ants include bats, frogs and geckoes. Its natural enemies should be protected.

In the tree peonies production areas such as Tongling and so on, white ants gnaw the fibers of wood on stems, roots and branches. There are ant roads enveloped by soil on the damaged plant stems. During the period from the late April to June, October to November is the most severe damage season.

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8.3 Major Cultivars of Jiangnan Cultivar Group

Fengdan Bai

'Fengdan Bai'

Single form, pure white. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 7cm), upright. Outer petals 2 layers, lower part of petals sometimes tinted with red. Pistils and stamens normal, filaments, disc and stigmas are purplish red.

Plants almost upright, the branches of year long, thick and strong. Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, ovate-lanceolate, dark green, spreading. Vigorously growing, early blooming, a good cultivar. This cultivar is the original cultivar of tree peony in Jiangnan region, strong adaptability, and it is often cultivated for medical and ornamental usages. It is also widely used as parents of cross breeding. It is cultivated in many regions of China.

'Huagang Hongxing'

Single form, white. Flowers small (15cm x 6cm), upright. Outer petals 2 layers, medium-large, with triangular dark purplish red blotches at base, fringe of blotches with radial stripes. Stamens many, middle and lower parts of filaments bluish purple, tip nearly white; disc closely enclosed, dark purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas purplish red.

Plants are a little patulous. Medium-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, dark green, lateral

169 Jiangnan Cultivar Group (Single Form)

Huanghai Shiyue Chun, Yuezhao Xinghe, Qiuyue Yingdong, Fengdan Fen

leaflets wide ovate to wide elliptic, with many splits, weak growing, shoots a few, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Huagang Guanyu Tree Peony Garden, Hangzhou.

'Huanghai Shiyue Chun'

Single form, white, light pink at base. Medium-large flowers (18cm x 9cm). Stamens many (382), filaments purplish red; carpels normal, disc and stigmas purplish red.

The height of plants medium, and the branches of year relatively long. Leaves big, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, dark green, stalk sinus light brownish yellow, upper part purplish red. Quantity of shoots medium, mid-blooming. Cultivated in Zhibin Tree Peony Garden, Sheyang, Jiangsu.

'Qiuyue Yingdong'

Single form, pink. Medium-large flowers (18cm x 8cm), upright. Outer petals 2-3 layers, dark color at base, with reverse V-shaped dark purplish red blotches, fringe with radiate stripes. Stamens many (321), filaments bluish purple; carpels normal, stigmas and disc purplish red.

The height of plants medium (l.lm), the stems of year long (40cm). leaflets 15, dark green, terminal leaflets and the second lateral leaflets divided to parted, leaf vein concave. Often bloom two times a year. Cultivated in Zhibin Tree Peony Garden, Sheyang, Jiangsu.

'Yuezhao Xinghe'

Single form, pinkish white. Flowers big (24cm x 11cm), upright. Outer petals 2-3 layers, with reverse V-shaped dark purplish red blotches at base, fringe of blotches with radial stripes. Stamens many (412), filaments purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, dark purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas purplish red.

Huagang Hongxin

The height of plants medium, the branches of year relatively long (36cm). Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 9, dark green, wide long elliptic, stalk sinus purplish red. Vigorously growing, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. It is cultivated in Zhibin Tree Peony Garden, Sheyang, Jiangsu.

'Fengdan Fen'

Single form, lightpink. Medium-large flowers (17cm x 7cm). Outer petals 2 layers, wide obovate, middle and lower parts of petals dark-colored, pink with bluish purple stripes, with white radiate stripes at back. Stamens normal, filaments long, middle and lower parts light purple; carpels normal, stigmas dark purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, dark purple.

Plants are a little patulous, branches thick and strong. Large-sized long leaves, Ieafletsl5, dense, terminal leaflets 3-divided, other leaflets entire, seldom incised, dark green, leaf margin tinted with brown. Petioles round and green, upper part dark brown. Vigorously growing, stems thick and strong, shoots many, with a light fragrance, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Yancheng Fen'

Single form, light pink. Medium-large flowers (18cm x 8cm). Outer petals 2-3 layers, petals exceptionally big, with bluish purple mottling at base. Stamens many, middle and lower parts of filaments bluish purple; disc enclosed by the base, dark purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas blackish purple.

170 (Single Form) Jiangnan Cultivar Group

Yancheng Fen, Fengdan Hong, Fengdan Lan

The height of plants medium (1.2m), the branches of year long (37cm), often one branch with two flowers. Leaf blade exceptionally big, leaflets 9, hairy on back. Vigorously growing, shoots many, with a light fragrance, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. A traditional cultivar in Yancheng, Jiangsu. It is said that it was intorduced and planted in Luoyang at the end of Bei Song Dynasty.

'Puyuan Hong'

Single form, rosy. Medium-large flowers, upright. Outer petals 2 layers. Stamens many, filaments purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels normal, stigmas long hook-like, purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, purplish red. Plants are a little patulous. Medium-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, long ovate, entire, terminal leaflets 3-divided, leaf margin and leaf blade tinted with brown, stalk sinus light brown, upper part brownish red. Medium growing; shoots a few, mid-blooming, a good cultivar cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Fengdan Hong'

Single form, red. Medium-large flowers, upright. Outer petals 2 layers, petals wide obovate, exceptionally big, with wide white stripes at back. Stamens a few, anthers big, filaments long, purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels normal, stigmas curved hook-like, disc enclosed by the base, tip tine-formed, carpels, stigmas and disc purplish red. Plants are a little patulous. Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, terminal leaflets 3 divided, the second couples of lateral leaves deeply incised, drooping, lower part of stalk sinus light brown, upper part brown. Vigorously growing,shoots medium, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Fengdan Lan'

Single form, red tinted with blue. Flowers big (19cm x 7cm), upright. Outer petals two layers, petals big, obovate, petal back with wide and white mid rib. Stamens normal, anthers big, filaments purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels 5, stigmas wide, purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, bluish purple. Plants are a little patulous. Large-sized long leaves, nearly spreading, leaflets 15, long elliptic, terminal leaflets undivided or 3-parted, leaf blade and margin tinted with brown, the side of stalk sinus exposed to the sun brown. Vigorously growing, shoots a few, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Fengdan Zi'

Single form, purplish red. Flowers medium-small. Petals 2 layers, obovate, petal margin undulant, with white stripes, petal back with wide and white mid rib. Quantity of stamens medium, filaments purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels normal, stigmas, disc (enclosed by the base) are purplish red. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9 (11), long ovate or wide elliptic, terminal leaflets parted to divided, lateral leaflets parted, dense leaves, with sparse hair on leaf back. Medium growing, shoots many, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

171

(Single Form) Jiangnan Cultivar Group

Yancheng Fen, Fengdan Hong, Fengdan Lan

The height of plants medium (1.2m), the branches of year long (37cm), often one branch with two flowers. Leaf blade exceptionally big, leaflets 9, hairy on back. Vigorously growing, shoots many, with a light fragrance, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. A traditional cultivar in Yancheng, Jiangsu. It is said that it was intorduced and planted in Luoyang at the end of Bei Song Dynasty.

'Puyuan Hong'

Single form, rosy. Medium-large flowers, upright. Outer petals 2 layers. Stamens many, filaments purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels normal, stigmas long hook-like, purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, purplish red.

Plants are a little patulous. Medium-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, long ovate, entire, terminal leaflets 3-divided, leaf margin and leaf blade tinted with brown, stalk sinus light brown, upper part brownish red. Medium growing; shoots a few, mid-blooming, a good cultivar cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Fengdan Hong'

Single form, red. Medium-large flowers, upright. Outer petals 2 layers, petals wide obovate, exceptionally big, with wide white stripes at back. Stamens a few, anthers big, filaments long, purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels normal, stigmas curved hook-like, disc enclosed by the base, tip tine-formed, carpels, stigmas and disc purplish red. Plants are a little patulous. Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, terminal leaflets 3 divided, the second couples of lateral leaves deeply incised, drooping, lower part of stalk sinus light brown, upper part brown. Vigorously growing,shoots medium, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Fengdan Lan'

Single form, red tinted with blue. Flowers big (19cm x 7cm), upright. Outer petals two layers, petals big, obovate, petal back with wide and white mid rib. Stamens normal, anthers big, filaments purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels 5, stigmas wide, purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, bluish purple.

Plants are a little patulous. Large-sized long leaves, nearly spreading, leaflets 15, long elliptic, terminal leaflets undivided or 3-parted, leaf blade and margin tinted with brown, the side of stalk sinus exposed to the sun brown. Vigorously growing, shoots a few, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Fengdan Zi'

Single form, purplish red. Flowers medium-small. Petals 2 layers, obovate, petal margin undulant, with white stripes, petal back with wide and white mid rib. Quantity of stamens medium, filaments purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels normal, stigmas, disc (enclosed by the base) are purplish red. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9 (11), long ovate or wide elliptic, terminal leaflets parted to divided, lateral leaflets parted, dense leaves, with sparse hair on leaf back. Medium growing, shoots many, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

171

; Jiangnan Cultivar Group (Single Form)

Sheyang Zi

'Rui Zi'

Single form, bluish purple. Flowers small (15cm x 7cm). Outer petals 2 layers, end with white stripes. Stamens many (318), filaments light purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, peach-pink; carpels 5, stigmas pink.

Plants high (1.67m), breadth of plant big (2.0m), stems of year long (36cm). Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, yellowish green, terminal leaflets and the second couple of lateral leaves divided. Rowers many, blooming twice each year, the second time late (November-December), an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Zhibin Tree Peony Garden, Sheyang, Jiangsu.

'Sheyang Zi'

Single form, purple. Medium-large flowers (18cm x 8cm). Outer petals 2-3 layers, petals big, with reverse V-shaped dark purplish red blotches. Stamens many, filaments purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas red.

The height of plants medium, the branches of year long (50cm). Leaflets 15, terminal leaflets and the second lateral leaflets divided to parted, lower part of stalk sinus brownish yellow, upper part purplish red, leaflets sparse. A strong grower, blooming twice each year, an

ZiPao

Fengfen He

excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Zhibin Tree Peony Garden, Sheyang, Jiangsu.

'Zi Pao'

Single form, purplish red to rosy. Flowers big (19cm x 8cm), upright. Outer petals 2-3 layers, with blackish purple blotches at base. Stamens many, middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, light bluish purple; carpels 5, stigmas pinkish red.

Plants high (2.1m), semi-patulous. Leaf-letslS (9), terminal leaflets and the second couple of lateral leaflets divided, yellowish green. Vigorously growing, shoots many, an excellent cultivar. A traditional cultivar in Yancheng, Jiangsu, and it is said that it was introduced from Luoyang at the end of Bei Song Dynasty.

'Fengfen He'

Lotus form, pink. Medium-large flowers (18cm x 9cm). Petals 3-4 layers, with light red radiate stripes in the middle of petals, petal back with wide and white mid rib. Pistils and stamens normal, anthers big, filaments light purple, tip light-colored; stigmas long curved hook-like, disc enclosed by the base, all crimson.

Plants are a little patulous, branches thick and strong, the position of buds is upper than

172

(Lotus Form)Jiangnan Cultivar Group

Puyuaji Chun, HuLan, Shuguang

others. Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 9 (11), long elliptic, dark green, terminal leaflets parted, stalks round, green, upper part brown. Vigorously growing, quantity of shoots medium, mid-blooming. A new bred cultivar cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Shuguang'

Lotus form, pink. Flowers big (20cm x 10cm), upright. Outer petals 4-5 layers, petal margin crumpled, middle and lower parts of petals with purplish red lines. Stamens many, filaments purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, light purplish red; carpels 9 (7 outside, 2 inside), stigmas crimson.

The height of plants medium (1.26m), breadth of plant big, the branches of year relatively long (36cm). Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3 divided, lateral leaflets elliptic-lanceolate. Vigorously growing, flowers many, with delicate fragrance, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Zhibin Tree Peony Garden, Sheyang, Jiangsu, and named by Li.

'Puyuan Chun'

Lotus form, light red. Medium-large flowers. Outer petals 3-4 layers, petals wide obovate, petal back with wide and white mid rib. Quantity of stamens medium, anthers big, middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red; carpels normal, stigmas curved hook-like, disc enclosed by the base, all purplish red. Plants are a little patulous. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 9, long elliptic, terminal leaflets divided, dark green, stalk sinus brown, upper part brown. Medium growth, shoots a few, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Pudong Tree Peony Garden, Shanghai.

'Hu Lan'

Lotus form, pinkish blue. Flowers small (15cm x 6cm), upright. Outer petals 4-5 layers, inner petals small, with long pointed white middle rib on back. Quantity of stamens medium, filaments crimson; carpels normal, stigmas narrow curved hook-like, purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, crimson. Plants are a little patulous, medium-high. Medium-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, yellowish green, terminal leaflets and the second couple of leaflets parted, leaf margin tinted with brown, stalk sinus light brown. Medium growth, shoots a few, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Shanghai Botanical Garden.

'Chang Hong'

Chrysanthemum form to rose form, crimson. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 7cm), upright. Petals more than 10 layers, petal margin narrowly serrate, with purplish red mottling at base. Stamens many, with several layers of small stamens outside (170), several layers of stamens inside (210) anther lush and plump, middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red, tip white, some petaloid; carpels more than 8-10, disc closely enclosed, dark purplish red.

The height of plants medium (l.lm), the branches of yearrelatively long (34cm), branches few. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, yellowish green, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral

173

Jiangnan Cultivar Group (Chrysanthemum Form and Rose Form)

Chang Hong, Qing Luo, Hong Furong

leaflets incised, petiole sinus light brown to brownish red. A strong grower, scaly buds subulate, branches and stems old, bark dark brown, many irregular cracks, often peeling off. The rate of flowering high, extensive adaptability. Mid-blooming cultivar in Ningguo, Anhui.

'Hu Hong'

Chrysanthemum form to rose form, crimson. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 5cm). Petals many layers, with purplish red mottling at base. Stamens many, outer layer small, anthers of middle layer lush and plump, filaments purplish red, tip white; carpels 8-11, small, stigmas purplish red; disc enclosed by the base, dark purplish red. Plants short, growing slowly, branches thick and strong. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, middle lobes 3-divided again, lateral leaflets incised, stalk sinus purplish brown. Vigorously growing, the rate of flowering high. Scaly buds ovate, much branched, shoots many. Mid-blooming cultivar in Ningguo, Anhui.

'Yu Hong'

Chrysanthemum form, crimson. Flowers small (15cm x 5cm). Petals many layers, smaller from outside to inside, with purplish red stripes at base. Stamens many, outer petals small, middle layer of stamens and anthers lush and plump, filaments light blue; carples about 9(3 small inside), disc dark purplish red, stigmas purplish red. The height of plants medium, branches of the year long (30cm). Leaflets 9, many incised. Medium growth, mid-blooming. Because the veins of petals like feather, it gets this name. A cultivar planted in Ningguo, Anhui.

'Qing Luo'

Chrysanthemum form to rose form, or rose proliferation form; crimson with partial blue. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm). Petals 9-10 layers, outside ones big and inside ones small, inner petals irregular, with purplish red mottling at base. Stamens many, stamens of outer layer small, anthers of stamens at center lush and plump, filaments purplish red, some petaloid; disc dark purplish red; carpels 7-9, 2-4 small ones inside, stigmas purplish red. Some have proliferation liked flower center. Stamens of lower flowers 5, small, ventral suture split, disc 5-divided or no division, with 6 carpels at center, small, with a few small petals, it also has a layer of disc outside.

Plants high, upright. Stems medium-thick and stiff, the branches of year long. Scaly buds narrow ovate. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, lush and plump, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets incised, stalk sinus brown. Vigorously growing, the rate of flowering high, branching a few, shoots few, strong adaptability. Mid-blooming cultivar planted in Ningguo, Anhui. Because the petals are thin and soft, with the appearance of transparent stripes, glistening, so it gets this name.

'Mei Hong'

Chrysanthemum form to rose form, crimson, Medium-large flowers (17cm x 6cm). Petals about 10 layers, with purplish stripes at base. Stamens many, anthers lush

174 (Chrysanthemum Form, Rose Form, Crown Form)Jiangnan Cultivar Group

Si Xuan HuiZi Chunguang Yun Fang

and plump, filaments bluish purple; carpels many (5 big outside, 7 small inside), disc dark purplish red, stigmas purplish red.

Plants high, branches stiff, smooth, light-color and upright. Stems of the year long (35cm), internode long. Scaly buds narrow ovate. Leaflets 9, lush and plump, terminal leaflets 3-divided. Vigorously growing, the rate of flowering high, strong adaptability, branching and shoots a few. Mid-blooming cultivar planted in Ningguo, Anhui (Flowering period in Suzhou is 7-15 April, 1998).

'Si Xuan'

Rose form, dark red to rosy. Flowers big (18cm x 11cm), with a layer of colorful petals outside. Petals many layers, from big to small, with dark purplish red blotches or stripes at middle and lower parts away from base. Stamens many, stamens of outer layers small, filaments short, stamens of inner layers a little big, filaments long, purplish red, tip light-colored; carpels 10, 2 layers, small, stigmas dark red or mcarnate; disc enclosed by the base, dark purplish red.

The height of plants medium, much branched, branches upright. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets incised, yellowish green. Vigorously growing, shoots many, flowering rate high, an excellent cultivar. Mid-blooming cultivar planted in Ningguo, Anhui.

'HuiZi'

Rose form, rosy. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm). Petals 8-10 layers, from big to small, with purplish red blotches at base. Stamens many (up to 724), outer layers small, but inner layers big, middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red. Disc closely enclosed, dark purplish red; carpels 7 (5 big, and 2 small), stigmas dark purplish red.

The height of plants medium, a little patu-lous branches of the year long (30cm). Leaflets 9, big, terminal leaflets 3-divided, mid lobes 3-lobed, lateral leaflets 2 to 3-divided. Medium growth, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Shanghai Botanical Garden.

'Hong Furong'

Rose form, red tinted with blue. Medium-large flowers (18cm x 8cm), lateral drooping. Petals more than 10 layers, outer petals exceptionally big, obovate, with narrow and long triangular dark purplish red blotches in the middle of petals, with narrow white middle rib on the back. Stamens many (350-600), filaments long, bluish purple, tip light-colored; carpels 8 (6 outside, 2 inside), stigmas dark purplish red; disc

enclosed by the base, dark purplish red.

Plants are a little patulous, branches of the year thick and strong, yellowish green. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, dark green, wide ovate, lateral leaflets lobed, stalk sinus brown. Vigorously growing, quantity of shoots medium, mid-blooming, a good cultivar. Cultivated in Cixi, Zhejiang and other regions.

'Chunguang'

Near golden-heart form, pink. Medium flowers (18cm x 8cm). Outer petals 4 layers, inner petals with many stamens, middle and lower parts of filaments light purplish red. Disc enclosed by the base, dark purplish red; carpels 5-7, stigmas red.

Plants short (0.7m), branches of the year long (30cm), tinted with purplish red. Medium-sized leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets many incised, stalk sinus purplish red. Medium growth, quantity of shoots medium, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Zhibin Tree Peony Garden, Sheyang, Jiangsu.

'Yun Fang'

Crown form, purplish red, glistening. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm), lateral drooping. Outer big petals two layers, with dark purplish red mottling at base; inner petals raised layer upon layer, there are many anemone petals among inner and outer petals, with purplish red stripes in the middle and lower parts of petals. Stamens many, filaments dark purplish red; carpels 5 to 6, stigmas purplish red, or a little petaloid, light green; disc enclosed by the base, purplish red.

The height of plants medium, semi-patulous, branches thick and strong, stems of the year long (32cm), internode short. Medium-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, lush and plump, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets flat and round, incised. Medium growth, branching a few, shoots many. Flowering period is one week late than normal cultivars'. High temperature and humidity tolerant. An excellent cultivar cultivated in Ningguo, Anhui.

'Fengwei'

Lotus proliferation form, white. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm). Outer petals of the lower-flowers 3-4 layers tinted with pink at base. Stamens many, filaments light bluish purple; carpels 6, some petaloid, stigmas purplish red, disc dark purplish red. Petals of the upper-flowers mixed among stamens, with incomplete developed carpels 9 among them.

Plants high, upright, the branches of year long (38cm), internode long. Scale buds long

175 Jiangnan Cultivar Group (Proliferation Form)

Yu Lou Chun, Feng Wei

ovate and red. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 11, dark green, thick, terminal leaflets 3-divided. Vigorously growing, but branching a few, shoots few; early blooming, the flowering rate medium, with a light fragrance. Early defoliation, root system shallow, roots seldom and thick. Cultivated in Ningguo, Anhui..

'Yu Lou Chun'

Chrysanthemum proliferation form, pink. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 8cm), upright or lateral drooping. Petals of the lower-flowers many layers, red at base. Stamens many (more than 300), middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red; carpels 5, stigmas purplish red, or petaloid; disc deeply serrate, dark purplish red. The upper-flowers small, petals narrow, with many stamens (127), some stamens inlaid with red stigmas; carpels 7-12 varying from big to very small, disc partially enclosed by the base.

The height of plants medium. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets parted, mid lobes 3-lobed, lateral leaflets parted. Stalks round, stalks sinus purplish red. Vigorously growing, mid-flowering. A traditional cultivar, cultivated in Shanghai, South of Jiangsu and North of Zhejiang. More than one-hundred-

year old tree peony is often seen. 'Yu Lou Zi'

Chrysanthemum proliferation form, white. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 10cm), upright or lateral drooping. Petals of the lower-flowers about 6 layers, petals medium-large, tip undulant, with many small petals inside, light purple at base. Stamens many (560-740), filaments purple with light-colored end (Filaments of outer layer stamens 0.3-0.5cm long, filaments of inner layer 1.5-1.8cm long), 5 carpels petaloid; petals of the upper-flowers crumpled, with purple stripes on middle and lower parts, some are the same size as outer petals, with exceptionally many stamens (487-656), with more than 16 capels at center, stigmas crimson; disc dark purplish red, holding 2/3, end serrate. A few petals and stamens mixed among pistils. The floral organs of the whole flower can reach 1300-1400.

Plants high, upright, the branches of year long. Large-sized long leaves, leaflets 15, terminal leaflets 3-divided, the first couple of lateral leaflets ovate-lanceolate, tips a little drooping, the second couple of lateral leaflets wide ovate and incised. Stalks round, lower part of stalks sinus light brown, upper and middle parts purplish red to brown. Floweringwood stand upright, pedicel soft. Medium growth, flowers with

176

(Proliferation Form) Jiangnan Cultivar Group

Yu Lou Zi, Xishi

fragrance, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Shanghai, Ningguo of Anhui, Hangzhou, Cixi of Zhejiang and so on.

'Xishi'

Chrysanthemum proliferation form, pink to pinkish red. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 10cm), lateral drooping. Petals of the lower-flowers many layers, from big to small. Petals medium-small, margin of petals pink, middle and lower parts crimson, with red mottling at base. There is a layer of normal stamens inside (about 370), middle and lower parts of filaments purplish red or bluish purple, upper part light-colored; ventral suture of carpel seperate, ovule bare, petaloid or remaining. Petals of the upper-flowers medium-big with normal stamens inside, carpels 6-14, small, disc enclosed by the base, dark red, stigmas crimson. A few pistils mixed among stamens.

The height of plants medium (l.lm), upright. The branches of year long (40cm), tinted with brown. Medium-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, lush and plump, dark green, wide ovate to long elliptic, splits seldom, with sparse hair on back, petiole sinus dark

177 Jiangnan Cultivar Group (Proliferation Form)

i Lou Zi, Fen Lian

brown. Vigorously growing, shoots many, flowering rate high, early blooming, an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in Cixi of Zhejiang, Ningguo of Anhui and so on. It is also called ' Xishi Huansha' in Cixi.

'Fen Lian'

Chrysanthemum proliferation form or rose proliferate-flower form, pinkish blue. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 7cm), upright or lateral drooping. Outer petals of the lower-flowers 6-7 layers, middle and lower parts of petals dark-colored. Inner petals many, mixed among stamens. Stamens many, anthers lush and plump, middle and lower parts of filaments bluish purple, tip white; 5 aberrant carpels mixed among petals. Carpels of the upper-flowers 9-19, disc 2 layers, light serrate, dark purplish red. Some flowers' pistils are mixed with some tiny petals and stamens.

The height of plants medium, the branches of year long (38cm), scaly buds subulate. Medium-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, dark green, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets long ovate. Vigorously growing, flowering rate high, much branched, shoots many, with a light fragrance, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. Cultivated in the middle and north parts of Zhejiang and Ningguo of Anhui.

'Que Hao'

Rose proliferation form (or rose form), deep red. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 6cm to 17cm x 12cm), upright or lateral drooping. Petals of the lower flowers 8-10 layers, with purplish red stripes at base. Stamens many, outer layers become smaller, stamens of inner layer anthers lush and plump, filaments purplish red, a few stamens petaloid; carpels 5, turn to flat, ventral suture seperate, stigmas purplish red, disc separate into 5 along with carpels, dark purplish red. Petals of the upper flowers medium-large, with various sized stamens among them and 5 small and narrow aberrant carpels at center, with serrate disc. The height of plants medium (1.05m), branches of the year long (35cm). Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, terminal leaflets 3-divided, lateral leaflets incised. Vigorously growing, shoots many, flowering rate high, flowers many, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. A cultivar cultivated in Ningguo, Anhui.

'Hei Lou Zi'

Crown proliferation form or hundred proliferate-flower form, blackish purple in bud and purplish red in full bloom. Medium-large flowers (16cm x 9cm), lateral drooping. Sepals of the lower-flowers 2 layers, with colorful outer petals. Outer petals two layers, with darkish brown blotches away from the base and feather-shaped white stripes on back, with many medium-small petals among them (451), stamens many (338), filaments dark purplish red, some petals have become membranous petals; carpels 5, petaloid. Petals of the upper-flowers many (196), with a few membranous petals (more than 20), stamens big (more than 26), with 5 small carpels at center, stigmas purplish red, disc remaining, dark purple.

Plants almost upright, branches of the year thick and strong, tinted with brown. Large-sized round leaves, leaflets 9, dark green, stalks tinted with brown. Bud of this cultivar is flat peach form. It takes one week from showing color to first blooming. Flowering season of single flower is about 10 days. Flowers bloom in turn, and flowering season of the whole plant is long. Vigorously growing, shoots many, mid-blooming, an excellent cultivar. This cultivar shows strong adaptability in Cixi region of Zhejiang Province where the water level is comparatively higher. It is especially tolerant to high temperature and humidity. The underground root system is shallow, and it length can reach 1m. The thick root can be used as stock to graft all kinds of tree peonies, and the tree peonies grafted are easy to survive.

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next: 9. Other Tree Peony Cultivar Groups