Fengtai Peonies

Fengtai Peonies

Fengtai Peonies are a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Peonies belong to the Ranunculaceae family and are perennial herbaceous plants with fleshy roots. Native to China, they can be found growing wild in areas such as the Qinling Mountains, Dabie Mountains, and the Baihua Mountain west of Beijing. The cultivation of peonies in China has a history of over 2,000 years. In ancient times, Yangzhou was the most famous place for peony cultivation. As early as the Ming Dynasty, Fengtai District was already well known for its peony planting.

　　Peonies have thick, fleshy main stems, standing 0.6–1 meter tall, with leaves that are 2–3 pinnate compound leaves. The flowers grow singly at the tips of branches and come in single, semi-double, or double forms, in colors such as purple, pink, yellow, and white. After 2–3 years, they begin to bloom around the Beginning of Summer solar term, with the most magnificent blooms occurring in mid-May.

　　Peonies hold significant ornamental value. Among flowering plants, peonies and tree peonies have long been referred to as the “two ultimate flowers.” Since ancient times, there has been a saying that the tree peony is the “king of flowers,” while the peony is the “prime minister of flowers”—truly the noblest of all blooms beneath the king. Peonies are prized for landscaping gardens and courtyards, and their long, upright flower stems make them excellent for cut flowers. Their roots are also used medicinally, with benefits such as nourishing blood, consolidating yang, soothing the liver, and relieving pain. They are suitable for symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, and spontaneous sweating.

　　Beijing’s peonies are mainly produced in Guogongzhuang Village, Huaxiang, Fengtai District. As far back as the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there was a saying that “Fengtai peonies surpass all others under heaven.” The area has well-drained sandy loam soil, and the climate meets the requirements of peonies, which prefer cold resistance, sunlight, and dislike humidity and heat. Peonies are mainly grown for cut flowers, with a small amount used for medicinal purposes. There are many cultivated varieties, including Jiubai, Yangfei, Nan Hong, Xiaoye Yang, Jindengzi, and Fen Zhuang Lou. Among these, Jindengzi blooms earliest, with bright red flowers—this is the variety referred to in the saying “see peonies at the Beginning of Summer.” Jiubai blooms latest, with thick stems and large blossoms. Xiaoye Yang is especially notable for its strong fragrance.