Begonia of Yizhou

Begonia of Yizhou

The Begonia of Yizhou is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Hedong District in Linyi City, Shandong Province, is nationally renowned as the “Capital of Chinese Begonia” and a major production base for flowers and seedlings. The “Begonia of Yizhou” is a distinctive local flower of Hedong District and also a well-known brand for “northern flowers sold to the south.” The Begonia of Yizhou is grafted using the local Yizhou quince as rootstock, resulting in long flowering periods and vibrant colors. The Begonia of Yizhou boasts strong disease resistance and wide adaptability, making it suitable both for urban greening and as potted plants for ornamental purposes, with huge development potential. However, for many years, small-scale household cultivation has made it difficult to withstand market risks, often leading to unsold inventory and production halts, which have constrained the growth of the flower and seedling industry.

　　 The begonia flower, also known as the pear blossom begonia or homesick grass, is a plant of the genus Begonia in the Rosaceae family. With its graceful posture and richly blooming flowers, the begonia has been a widely admired and elegant flower since ancient times, often referred to as the “fairy of flowers,” “noble consort of flowers,” or “distinguished flower.” It is commonly paired with magnolia, peony, and osmanthus in imperial gardens to create the poetic ambiance of “prosperity in a noble house.”

　　 The begonia is the city flower of Linyi. Many residents in Linyi grow begonias, and the city is a major production base for begonias in Shandong. In 2009, building on the success of the first Begonia Festival, the area was awarded the title of “Capital of Chinese Begonia.” Currently, there are 160 large-scale begonia planting enterprises in the region, employing 12,000 people, with an annual output of 6,000 plants and sales exceeding 100 million yuan. As early as the 1980s, begonia growers in Linyi successfully grafted traditional begonias onto the locally distinctive quince begonia, creating the uniquely characteristic Begonia of Yizhou. The Begonia of Yizhou has been registered as a city trademark and is being promoted nationwide, attracting many flower growers to purchase and cultivate it.