Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden

Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden

The Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden is a national AA-level tourist attraction.

The Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden is located in Longquan Town, known as China’s hometown of flowers and trees, covering an area of over 1,000 acres. It cultivates more than 30,000 plants of over 30 varieties including wax myrtle, red plum, and green plum, along with over 1 million plants of more than 100 species of foliage and ornamental flowering plants. It is a multifunctional, comprehensive ecological floral garden integrating tourism, leisure, cultural entertainment, scientific research, education, and production demonstration.

Upon entering the wax myrtle garden, you’ll see a stone carving inscribed with “China Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden,” personally written by Mr. Chen Junyu, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, president of the China Plum and Wax Myrtle Association, for our Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden.

Mr. Chen devoted his life to the study of plum and wax myrtle blossoms and is a leading figure in China’s plum and wax myrtle community. Even in his 90s, he remains deeply concerned about the development of the Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden. He said, “The China Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden covers over 1,000 acres and is the largest wax myrtle garden in China. The garden integrates sightseeing, production, and research. With its complete variety of wax myrtles and high standards, it is first-class in China and even the world.”

Li Qingwei, vice dean of the School of Landscape Architecture at Beijing Forestry University, said, “There are many plum gardens across the country, but the China Anyang Wax Myrtle Garden, which focuses solely on wax myrtles, is located at the highest latitude and can be considered the largest in scale and most comprehensive in variety.”

Some visitors may ask: Why does the character for “wax” in Wax Myrtle Garden have the insect radical instead of the moon radical as in “腊”? This is because the wax myrtle blooms around the same time as the plum blossom, has a similar fragrance, and its color resembles beeswax. It is called the “wax” (with the insect radical) myrtle, named after its texture. Also, since it blooms in the depths of winter during the La month (腊月), it is also referred to as the “La month” (with the moon radical) wax myrtle.

The wax myrtle is a uniquely famous ornamental plant in China, with a long cultivation history and rich wax myrtle culture.

“Branches stretch like emerald jade, naturally slender; buds burst like golden treasures, exuding extraordinary fragrance.” In the bitter cold of winter when all other flowers wither, only the wax myrtle bravely blooms against the chill. “The east wind enters the dying year overnight; frozen buds hold fragrance, delicate and pitiful; of the twenty-four solar terms’ flower messengers, the vanguard of spring still yields to you.” The wax myrtle, covered in blossoms, stands with unyielding icy branches and fragrant frozen buds, offering a uniquely splendid charm. On cold days, the wax myrtle quietly awaits the news of spring; when people see the “round amber-like buds, the golden bell-shaped blossoms standing alone,” they feel that spring is just around the corner, and the bright season is about to arrive.

Qianzi Garden is one of the main viewing areas for wax myrtles, where visitors can come together to admire and appreciate the graceful beauty of the wax myrtle.

The wax myrtle was originally called yellow plum, also known as yellow plum blossom, fragrant plum, or dry branch plum, among others. The Tang Dynasty poet Li Shangyin called the wax myrtle the “cold plum,” as in the line “Knowing I would visit the cold plum, I crossed the wild pond.” The Yao Family’s Remaining Words also referred to the wax myrtle as the “cold guest.” The wax myrtle blooms before spring, ahead of all other flowers, especially the tiger hoof plum, which blooms as early as the tenth lunar month, hence it is called the early plum. The wax myrtle blooms before its leaves appear, and its flowers and leaves never meet, so when the flowers bloom, the branches are bare and withered, thus it is also called the dry branch plum. The wax myrtle often blooms when snow is flying, and to enjoy it, one must visit after the snowfall, hence it is also called the snow plum. Additionally, because the wax myrtle flowers at the beginning of winter and bears fruit as winter ends, staying with the season, it is also called the winter plum.

So, is the wax myrtle the same as the plum blossom we usually refer to? Here’s a botanical fact: the wax myrtle is not a plum. However, due to its similar flower shape, blooming season, and the fact that both bloom before their leaves and have fragrant flowers, they were traditionally grouped together as “plum” in ancient times. It wasn’t until the Northern Song Dynasty that the Hermit of the Valley, Huang Tingjian, in his preface to “Valley Poems,” distinguished the wax myrtle from the plum: “There is a kind of flower in Dongluo that smells like a plum, also has five petals, but cannot be named, resembling something made from burning wax. People in the capital therefore called it wax myrtle.”

Plum blossoms belong to the Rosaceae family, related to peaches, plums, and apricots. The wax myrtle, on the other hand, belongs to the Calycanthaceae family, genus Calycanthus, and is a deciduous shrub. There are several main varieties of wax myrtle: plain-heart wax myrtle, trumpet wax myrtle, sandalwood wax myrtle, and dogtooth wax myrtle. The plain-heart wax myrtle has pure yellow outer petals and nearly solid-colored inner ones, with larger flowers and a strong fragrance; the trumpet wax myrtle has pale yellow outer petals and inner petals with purple-red edges and stripes, making it the largest with a clear, refreshing fragrance; the sandalwood wax myrtle blooms earliest, with deep yellow flowers resembling rosewood, densely packed and strongly fragrant; the dogtooth wax myrtle, also called nine-flower plum, has narrow, pointed petals, with purple inner central petals, smaller flowers, a light fragrance, and a later blooming period; the small-flower wax myrtle has yellowish-white outer petals and purple-striped inner petals, with the smallest flower diameter of less than 1 cm. It is highly resilient and ornamental, thriving through the ages. The wax myrtle braves frost and snow, its frozen buds exuding beauty and unique charm, embodying nobility, elegance, resilience, and strength. Hence, along with white plum, camellia, and narcissus, it is known as one of the “Four Friends of Winter,” symbolizing indomitable spirit and beauty.

The wax myrtle has a relatively long and rare blooming period. It can be divided into the initial blooming period, peak blooming period, and withering period. From the La month of the current year to February and March of the following year, wax myrtles continue to bloom, with a blooming period as long as three months; the flowers bloom in succession, withering but not falling, even when the blossoms fade, they do not drop. Although the wax myrtle does not bloom as abundantly as peonies or peach blossoms, it bravely opens against the cold, withers but does not fall, continuing endlessly.

Historical records indicate that Long’an has a very early history of cultivating wax myrtles, producing plants with beautiful blossoms, fragrant flowers, early blooming, and long blooming periods. During the Republican era, Yuan Shikai once visited Long’an to admire them and wrote a poem praising the Long’an wax myrtle: “In the La month, the zero plum blooms, emitting the flowers of longevity,” praising the wax myrtles of Long’an.

Appreciating wax myrtles and plum blossoms generally involves evaluating them based on five aspects: color, fragrance, form, charm, and timing.

First is color. Although the color of the wax myrtle is not as vivid or intense as other flowers, its subtle, translucent hues are unmatched by other blossoms.

Second is fragrance. The scent of the wax myrtle is characterized by “a single true fragrance, pure and absolutely unique.” It possesses a distinctive charm, being elegant, clear, and refined, and has been referred to by literati throughout the ages as “cold fragrance” and “hidden fragrance.” It is striking yet not vulgar, rich yet clear. “Seeking fragrance with intent, yet it refuses to reveal itself; the fragrance lies where it cannot be sought,” making it hard to capture yet constantly refreshing the soul and intoxicating. During the plum-blossom viewing season, wandering among the blossoms, with the breeze drifting through the plum grove, it feels like immersing oneself in a sea of fragrance, with the whole body infused with scent. Savoring the fragrance of the wax myrtle has the effects of refreshing the mind, invigorating the spirit, and moisturizing the qi, as if “the plum viewer walks among the flowers, the flowers clinging to sleeves, leaving a fragrant trail.” The wax myrtle may not be as showy as the red plum, but its fragrance travels even farther. The unique floral aroma of the wax myrtle moved a poet to exclaim: “Even with the winter-hearted brush as stout as a rafter, one can insert the flower’s bones but not depict its fragrance!”

Third is form. The ancients believed that “the form and posture of the plum are paramount,” referring to its shape and stance. Forms include drooping, rising, sideways, reclining, leaning, and gazing, while postures are divided into upright, curved, and slanted. The plum tree’s bark is pitch-black with rough textures, its branches twisted, rugged, and weathered, exuding a majestic beauty of enduring hardship and unyielding strength. The wax myrtle’s branches are slender, varied yet rhythmic, displaying a strong sense of line and vitality. In Qianzi Garden, you can admire wax myrtles in various poses.

The Lover’s Flower Corridor in the wax myrtle garden mainly features plain-heart wax myrtles. The plain-heart wax myrtle has pure white flower centers and a rich, dense fragrance. Because its flowers do not fully open and the blossoms face downward, resembling a hanging golden bell, it is also called the golden bell plum. Look, doesn’t it look like a golden bell hanging down?

Fourth is charm. This refers to the charm and artistic conception of the wax myrtle, appreciated through its color, fragrance, and posture. The Song Dynasty poet Fan Chengda wrote in “Plum Manual”: “The plum wins with charm, with noble character, hence it is valued for its slanted, sparse, slender, and rugged forms alongside old branches and strange rocks.” Therefore, in the works of poets and painters, the forms of wax myrtles and plum blossoms always revolve around the four words: slanted, sparse, slender, and rugged. Today, the criteria for appreciating the charm of plum blossoms are: prized for being sparse rather than dense, old rather than young, slender rather than plump, and closed rather than blooming, known as the “Four Treasures of Plum Charm.”

Fifth is timing. Visiting to view plum blossoms requires good timing. Too early, and the buds are not yet open; too late, and the blossoms have withered. The ancients believed that “the flower is most beautiful just before it blooms,” meaning the best time to view the wax myrtle is when its buds are about to bloom, hence the term “plum viewing.”

The wax myrtle is a treasure in every part—it is not only ornamental, but its flowers, stems, and roots can also be used medicinally. The most precious, however, are the aromatic essential oils extracted from the wax myrtle and plum blossoms.

The Chinese nation is a flower-loving people, with a particular fondness for the plum. People love to grow, admire, and paint plum blossoms, with some even becoming utterly enchanted. There is a beautiful and moving legend about the plum blossom fairy: It is said that during the Sui Dynasty, Zhao Shixiong traveled to Fulu Mountain and one night dreamed of drinking with a plainly dressed woman who exuded a wonderful fragrance, accompanied by a green-clad boy singing and dancing joyfully. When dawn broke, Zhao Shixiong awoke to find himself sleeping under a large plum tree, with kingfishers singing in the branches. The woman in the dream was the plum tree, and the green-clad boy was the kingfisher. By then, the moon had set and the stars were strewn across the sky, leaving Zhao Shixiong alone in melancholy.

Even more remarkable, during the Northern Song Dynasty, there was a recluse named Lin Bu who lived in seclusion on Solitary Hill in Hangzhou. He had neither wife nor children, devoting himself entirely to cultivating plum blossoms and raising cranes. He did this for 20 years, treating the plum blossoms as his wife and the cranes as his children. Later generations called him the “Plum Wife and Crane Sons,” and the story has been passed down as a timeless tale.

The wax myrtle flower has five petals, symbolizing the Five Blessings: happiness, prosperity, longevity, peace, and what we hope for most—harmony. So here, I offer you this five-blessing flower, wishing you daily happiness, good fortune, health and longevity, career success, and peace year after year.

The Rose Valley in the wax myrtle garden is planted with a large number of roses and rugosa roses. From April to November each year, the roses and rugosas bloom brilliantly and exude a rich fragrance, hence the name “Rose Valley.”

Roses bloom in May and June, with a rich, intoxicating fragrance and vibrant colors. Rugosa roses bloom from April to November. When rugosa roses are in bloom, they are dazzlingly beautiful and subtly fragrant. “Flowers bloom and fade without pause, unaffected by the coming and going of spring,” truly depicting the rare blooming cycle of rugosa roses. Moreover, with the increasing variety of rugosa roses, there is now little difference between rugosas and roses, and the two often coexist in people’s lives, “intertwined with one another.” Some of the roses sold in markets today are actually cultivated rugosa roses.

Visitors may wonder: how can the China rose be mentioned in the same breath as the rose?

Here is a little story about the China rose and the rose.

The China rose is native to China and is a rose family plant that blooms all year round. Its monthly emergence of crimson buds, dazzling beauty, and enchanting fragrance are the most distinctive features of the Chinese China rose. “Blooming and fading without interruption, unaffected by the coming and going of spring” truly depicts the rare blooming period of the Chinese China rose. In the late 18th century, the China rose was introduced to Europe via India, and later to France. French horticulturists used the China rose as the foundation to cultivate a new variety of roses — “Golden State” — which has been highly praised by the international horticultural community. Therefore, people say, “Half of the lifeblood of modern roses flows from the Chinese China rose.” Moreover, the China rose, the rose, and the rose are originally sisters of the same family, so isn’t it even more meaningful to call this place Rose Valley?

Han Qi, the prime minister during the Song Dynasty, personally visited Longquan twice and composed a poem for the China roses of Longquan. He wrote: “The peony, utterly peerless, submits to the spring breeze; the dewy chrysanthemum, sparse and forlorn, complains in the late clusters; how can this flower compare, whose splendor knows no season, blooming in reds and pinks all year through?” This poem captures the unique trait of the China rose’s everlasting bloom throughout the seasons and sings its praises with deep affection.

The Wax Myrtle Garden cultivates various types of wax myrtles and plum blossoms. The plum blossom’s indomitable spirit, noble integrity, pride in facing the snow and frost, and its role as the harbinger of early spring have earned it the title of the soul of the Chinese nation. Its icy-pure beauty and fragrance in the cold have always been cherished by people, and throughout history, many excellent poems expressing emotions through the plum blossom have been left behind. Among them, we particularly love Chairman Mao Zedong’s “Bu Suan Zi · Ode to the Plum Blossom.” Speaking of this poem, you must be very familiar with it. Let me recite it for you: “Wind and rain escort the return of spring...” This poem is filled with the spirit of revolutionary heroism and optimism.

Under the Fragrant Pavilion, where the scent of wax myrtles wafts, you can see the “Bu Suan Zi · Ode to the Plum Blossom” inscribed by the great leader Chairman Mao Zedong. You can savor it carefully or take photos here as souvenirs.

As everyone knows, Long’an is the hometown of flowers and plants in China. Speaking of the history of flower cultivation in Long’an, it dates back to the Three Kingdoms period. At the end of the Three Kingdoms, when Sima Zhao’s army captured Chengdu, the last ruler of the Shu Kingdom, Liu Shan — also known as A’dou — seeing that the situation was hopeless, led his civil and military officials to surrender to Deng Ai, a general of Cao Huan. Deng Ai first relocated Liu Shan to Luoyang, and not long after, moved him to Wanbaishan Mountain in Linyuan County, southwest of Anyang — the very Wanbaishan Mountain we just saw. He was granted the title of Marquis of Anle. A dragon palace was built for Liu Shan here, later known as Longgong Village, and the nearby LouShang Village was renamed Shu Village to console the nostalgia of Liu A’dou and his officials for their homeland.

Longgong Village is surrounded by mountains on three sides and borders water on one side, offering extremely beautiful scenery. A poem testifies to this:

To the east, by Shu waters, watch fish leap; to the west, near Taihang, hear deer cry.

At night, frogs’ crisp songs delight the ear; at dawn, clouds slice through pines like a fairyland.

The provisions for the Marquis of Anle covered more than ten surrounding villages: one palace, two counties, three Long’ans, four Ma Villages paired with nine weirs, Dongping Cave Square, and Shiyen. (One palace is Longgong Village, two counties are Qian Shu Village and Hou Shu Village, three Long’ans refer to Long’an Village, four Ma Villages are Dou Ma Village, and nine weirs are the surrounding Dongpo, Beipo, Xipo, Lingxi, and Youfang Village. Dongping is Dongping Village, Dongfang is Wujiadong and Fangshan, and Shiyen is Shiyen Village.)

After Liu Shan arrived here, he built fortifications on Wanbaishan Mountain, constructed mountain gates, built grand halls, dug a horse-watering spring, planted trees along the river, built gardens, and grew flowers and plants, enjoying life with the people. He taught local farmers the art of flower cultivation, brought from Sichuan, training a group of skilled flower growers, whose knowledge has been passed down through generations, eventually forming three major schools: the Chen, Zhao, and Wu families. Due to Long’an’s unique geographical and climatic environment, coupled with the meticulous cultivation by local flower growers, Long’an’s flowers have since gained fame across the Central Plains, leading to the later imperial-bestowed title of “An Gui” for Long’an’s osmanthus. Local flower growers still worship Liu Shan as the Flower God, renamed Wanbaishan Mountain as A’dou Mountain, and the Zhongshan Fort built by Liu Shan as A’dou Cave, erecting a monument in commemoration. This idiom is “happy and unaware of returning to Shu.”

At the highest point of the Wax Myrtle Garden lies a stretch of clear blue water — Jinghu Lake. It was built upon the original foundation. To the north is the Eco Restaurant. Covering an area of 1,700 square meters and with an investment of over 2 million yuan, the Eco Restaurant was planned, designed, and constructed using comprehensive knowledge from architecture, ecology, and related disciplines. Inside the Eco Restaurant, the plant layout is dominated by green landscape plants supplemented by floral plants, combined with ponds, small bridges, flowing water, bamboo and wooden pavilions, and other garden landscapes, presenting a fully three-dimensional, green, pleasant, and comfortable dining environment, making it a highlight of the scenic area.

This is the highest point of the Wax Myrtle Garden. The water in Jinghu Lake serves three purposes: it can be used for irrigation, firefighting, and fishing. Fish and shrimp have been released into the pond, where you can fish to relax your muscles and lift your spirits.

In the distance ahead is a mountain — that is Wanbaishan Mountain, also called A’dou Mountain and A’dou Fort, the place where Liu Shan once lived.

The Hundred Flowers Garden in the Wax Myrtle Garden is a breeding base for 3 million flower seedlings and nursery stocks. This project is a key initiative supported by the Provincial Department of Agriculture, covering an area of over 6,000 square meters (approximately 10 acres), with a total investment of over 9 million yuan. The project was planned and constructed using comprehensive knowledge from architecture, ecology, and related disciplines. The greenhouse adopts semi-automatic management, with a steel frame structure, an external PC transparent panel, and internally installed heating, mist cooling, and automatic irrigation systems. The greenhouse has introduced many high-quality flower and seedling varieties, continuously improving and expanding the product grade and scale of the breeding base. The completion of this greenhouse can be used for planting flowers and seedlings, cultivating varieties, and also serves as a venue for science education, leisure, and entertainment.

The Hundred Flowers Garden boasts a rich variety of flowers. The Rieger Begonia has a long flowering period, rich colors, lush green foliage, a full plant shape, and is an excellent variety for indoor winter decoration, as well as one of the main types of year-round indoor flowering plants. If suitable environmental conditions can be created, the Rieger Begonia will surely add color to your home. With characteristics such as winter blooming, large and numerous flowers, disease resistance, no tuber formation, and no obvious dormancy period, it is a rare greenhouse potted flower, very suitable for potted ornamental use. It is commonly used for indoor decoration, such as on shelves, window sills, hanging baskets, etc. It is very popular in Europe, the United States, and Japan, especially after variety improvements in 1980, the cultivation and consumption of Rieger Begonias have surged, particularly popular in the New Year flower markets, becoming a rapidly developing new category of potted plants in recent years.

The Phalaenopsis was discovered in 1750, and to date, more than 70 wild species have been identified, most originating from humid regions of Asia. They are distributed in places such as Taiwan (China), Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, with Taiwan producing the most. Phalaenopsis is a famous cut flower variety. It is a monopodial epiphytic orchid with short stems, large leaves, and one to several arching flower spikes bearing large flowers. It is named for its butterfly-like appearance. With its graceful posture and gorgeous colors, it is a treasure among tropical orchids and is hailed as the “Queen of Orchids.”

The Rhododendron is one of the most famous flowers in the world today. It is a small shrub of the Ericaceae family, with both evergreen and deciduous varieties. Rhododendrons are distributed throughout the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Of the world’s more than 900 varieties, nearly 600 are found in China, leading some enthusiasts to nominate the rhododendron as one of China’s candidate national flowers. The colorful rhododendron evokes people’s warm and beautiful feelings about life and also symbolizes the prosperity of the nation and the happiness of the people. This is the true essence of the Chinese people’s love for the rhododendron.

The Cyclamen, also known as radish begonia, rabbit ear flower, rabbit flower, first-rank crown, bonfire flower, or flipped petal lotus, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Cyclamen in the family Primulaceae. Cyclamen is a commonly planted flower, suitable for indoor pots, but requires greenhouse cultivation in winter. Some cultivated varieties of cyclamen have a strong fragrance, while others have light or no scent. The term “Cyclamen” comes from the transliteration of its scientific name Cyclamen, and the clever transliteration gives the flower a meaning of “immortal guests arriving gracefully.” Cyclamen is the city flower of Qingzhou, Shandong Province, and was also the mascot of the 43rd World Table Tennis Championships held in Tianjin in 1995.

The Schefflera, also called the umbrella tree, is a general term for several tropical evergreen shrubs or trees of the Araliaceae family. It tolerates weak light conditions and is widely grown as an indoor foliage plant. With a full and graceful plant shape and strong adaptability, it is an excellent potted plant. Suitable for arranging in living rooms, studies, and bedrooms. It can also be placed in shaded areas of courtyards or on balconies in spring, summer, and autumn. It can also be planted alone in courtyards and is a winter nectar source plant in the south. Its leaves and bark can be used medicinally.

The Camellia, about 15m tall, has yellowish-brown twigs. Its leaves are alternate, dark green, ovate to elliptic, with fine serrated edges. The tree crown is graceful, the leaves are lush green, and the flowers are large and showy, blooming in late winter to early spring. In the Jiangnan region, it can be planted in clusters or scattered in gardens, flower paths, beside rockeries, on lawns, and at the edges of shrubs, or planted in patches as a camellia garden. In the north, it is suitable for potted cultivation to decorate halls and meeting venues with excellent effect.

The Dracaena, native to tropical regions, thrives in environments with ample sunlight, high temperature, and humidity, but also tolerates shade and dryness, growing well in bright diffused light and the relatively dry indoor environments of northern homes.

The Dracaena is a quite popular large indoor potted ornamental plant, especially suitable for display in spacious living rooms, studies, and living rooms, offering an elegant, simple style with a southern flair. It is a beautifully shaped, neat, and world-renowned new generation of indoor foliage plants. Controlling watering in winter is key for the Dracaena, generally watering as little as possible depending on indoor temperature. Overwatering can cause root rot, and winter is not suitable for propagation — even if issues are noticed, they are hard to remedy. Therefore, flower enthusiasts are advised not to water too frequently in winter.

The Purple Star, 65–75 cm tall, has upright leaves that are gray-green with thick layers of waxy powder. Suitable for planting south of the Great Wall in China. Around Handan, seeds are sown outdoors in mid-to-late September, with 500 grams per mu. Water for frost prevention is applied before winter, and cold protection is needed in winter. Transplanting occurs in mid-to-late March of the following year, with a spacing of 13–15 cm.

The Torch Lily, also called the torch lily, is a perennial herb of the genus Kniphofia in the Liliaceae family. It grows 80–120 cm tall with an upright stem. The spike inflorescence bears hundreds of tubular small flowers arranged in a torch shape, with orange-red corollas, blooming from June to July. It prefers warmth and grows well in loose, fertile sandy loam. It can be planted in clusters on lawns or beside rockeries as an accent. An excellent garden flower, it can be planted in clusters on lawns or beside rockeries, with flower stems suitable for cut flowers. Its tall, upright stems hold up the torch-like inflorescence, a magnificent sight. Suitable for planting in clusters on lawns or beside rockeries as an accent, and also fitting for arranging perennial mixed flower borders or in front of buildings.

The Fortune Bamboo, also known as Dracaena sanderiana, is a foliage plant of the genus Dracaena in the Liliaceae family. A type of evergreen small tree, its stem is upright, with a delicate plant form, thick and sturdy stems reaching over 2 meters in height, and long, narrow, dark green leaves. It grows vigorously and is easy to maintain in water. Varieties include green leaves, green with white edges (called silver edge), green with yellow edges (called gold edge), and green with silver centers (called silver heart). The green-leaved Fortune Bamboo, also called the Eternal Bamboo, has dark green leaves, vigorous growth, and is widely cultivated. Commonly used for home vase arrangements or potted care, especially the “tower-shaped” style originating from Taiwan, also called “Prosperity Bamboo,” which has high ornamental value and is very popular in the international market. Prosperity in wealth, peace in bamboo, great fortune, and a lifetime of richness.

The Cycas, named for its iron-hard trunk and preference for iron-rich fertilizer, hence the name Iron Tree. Additionally, because its leaves resemble a phoenix tail and its trunk resembles that of a banana or pine tree, it is also called the Phoenix Tail Banana. It is an evergreen plant of the Cycas genus. Its stems are relatively thick, and the plant can reach up to 8 meters in height. It blooms from July to August. It is dioecious, with male flowers on the inner side of the leaves and female flowers at the top of the stem. It prefers strong sunlight and a warm, dry environment, requiring fertile, sandy, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. It has poor cold resistance and is mostly planted in the south.

The Osmanthus, native to the eastern Himalayas in southwestern China, is also found in India, Nepal, and Cambodia. Its flowers grow in clusters from leaf axils, are pale yellowish-white, and have four lobes. The drupe is oval, turning purplish-black when ripe. The flowers are fragrant, and the essential oil extracted is used to make osmanthus extract, utilized in food, cosmetics, pastries, candies, and for brewing. It is also an ornamental plant. Osmanthus has a pungent taste and can be used medicinally.

The Banyan Fig, a deciduous large tree of the Moraceae family. Widely distributed, its wood is dark gray, lightweight and soft, with beautiful and coarse grain, suitable for making utensils and farm tools; its stem bark fibers can substitute for jute for rope-making.

Ginseng fig, belonging to the Moraceae family, is a shrub or small tree. Its roots resemble ginseng and small banyan trees. The shape of the trunk strikingly resembles a human figure standing watch, hence the name "ginseng fig." It is also known as banyan melon or sweet potato fig. The roots of the ginseng fig look like ginseng, featuring a natural form, exposed root systems, lush crowns, and a unique charm. Observing its posture and shape brings great delight and joy, making it highly favored by consumers worldwide. In the Netherlands, it has been named "China Roots," representing a floral variety with a Chinese brand that is gaining global recognition. It serves as a beautiful decorative piece for indoor and outdoor settings!

The spindle palm is a clumping evergreen shrub or small tree. It thrives in warm, humid, semi-shaded environments with good ventilation but is not cold-resistant. It tolerates shade well but fears intense sunlight. It prefers loose, well-drained soil rich in humus, with a minimum winter temperature of 10°C. In its native habitat, it can grow up to 3–8 meters tall. With an elegant form, it is often planted in gardens in southern China, where it tolerates deep shade and can be grown on the shaded sides of buildings. In other regions, it is commonly cultivated as a potted ornamental. It can be used as a landscape tree in lawns, under tree canopies, or near residences, as well as in pots, making it a premium foliage plant for decorating living rooms, dining rooms, meeting rooms, homes, studies, bedrooms, or balconies. It can be displayed indoors in bright light for extended periods and can also be appreciated for 4–6 weeks in relatively dim rooms, offering high ornamental value.

"Prosperity in a Noble House" — pomegranates symbolize fertility. When yellow winter jasmine is paired with white magnolia and crabapple trees, it creates the scene known as "Prosperity in a Noble House."

The variety of flowers here is truly countless.

Walking along the path in Forsythia Valley, visitors will see three uniquely identical pavilions arranged in a staggered formation to the left front. These are called the "Three Friends Pavilion." Visitors might recall this couplet: "Pine, bamboo, and plum — the three friends of winter; peach, plum, and apricot — a family in the spring breeze." The Three Friends Pavilion represents the "three friends of winter." The plum stands proudly against the snow, blooming early in spring; the bamboo is humble and enduring, never withering in winter; the pine is sturdy, rustic, and evergreen all year round. Their combination carries profound meaning.

Along both sides of the walking path, visitors can see forsythia plants. Forsythia is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3 meters tall. Its stems are clustered, upright, with branches spreading and drooping. The internodes are hollow, often drooping, and contain pith at the nodes. Upon hearing "forsythia," visitors will likely think of the traditional Chinese medicine "Forsythia Detox Pills." Indeed, forsythia has remarkable medicinal value.

The leaves are simple, opposite, petiolate, ovate, with serrated edges, pointed tips, and rounded or wedge-shaped bases. Some form trifoliate pinnate compound leaves. From March to April, it blooms before leafing out, with flowers lasting until May. The bright yellow flowers, 1–3 per cluster, bloom singly or in a few clusters in the leaf axils. Each flower has four oval petals, forming a golden-yellow corolla about half an inch long, with orange-red stripes inside the corolla.

The fruit is an ovoid capsule with two chambers. The seeds have wings. The flowering period is from April to May, and the fruiting period is from June to September. Forsythia prefers sunlight but tolerates partial shade. It is cold-resistant, drought-tolerant, but not waterlogged, and is not demanding on soil. It can grow in dry, poor, slightly acidic, or slightly alkaline soils, particularly thriving in well-drained, high, and dry sandy loam. There are many varieties of forsythia, including Manchurian forsythia, ovate-leaved forsythia, bell-shaped forsythia, weeping forsythia, and variegated forsythia.

The people of Long'an are no longer content with the past workshop-style production of "every household having a garden and everyone knowing how to grow flowers." Instead, they are moving toward industrialization and large-scale development. Today, the scale of flower cultivation in Long'an has reached over 20,000 acres, with more than 2,000 varieties, including a provincial-level forest park spanning over 7,000 acres. In 2000, it was designated by the National Forestry Administration and the China Flower Association as a "National Key Flower Market" and the "Hometown of Flowers and Plants in China."

The Wax Myrtle Garden Scenic Area enjoys convenient transportation, with intercity buses from Anyang to Shanying passing through here. It is suitable for rural leisure trips, self-driving tours, and flower science education tours.