Paeonia rockii: you may not know it has such alternative names
Current status of Paeonia rockii
Paeonia rockii is scattered in Shaanxi, Gansu and western Henan in China. Because its root bark is used as medicine, it has long suffered from excessive digging, and its resources have been continuously damaged; moreover, due to its weak natural reproductive capacity, its distribution area has gradually shrunk, and effective measures should be taken to protect it. Lower altitude limit (m) 1100, upper altitude limit (m) 2800.
Paeonia rockii is a plant endemic to China and a precious flower germplasm resource, with its root bark used for medicinal purposes. It is of certain significance for studying the phylogeny of the genus Paeonia and for breeding new peony cultivars.
The beauty of Paeonia rockii
Based on long-term observation and research on issues such as flower color changes, flower type changes and cultivar formation during the process of selecting and breeding new cultivars, the three-level classification method of "flower color", "flower type" and "cultivar name" conforms to the actual process of peony cultivar evolution.
Flower color is the most prominent and most easily distinguished feature of peonies, and flower color is relatively stable, so flower color is used as the first level in the classification of Paeonia rockii cultivars. Flower colors are divided into 8 types in total: white, pink, red, purple, black, blue, yellow and variegated. Among them, black refers to deep purple and ink purple, yellow refers to pale yellow or light yellow, blue refers to pinkish blue or pinkish purplish blue, and variegated refers to having two or more colors.
Flower type is the main feature that correctly reflects cultivar characteristics and ornamental value, and is the comprehensive manifestation of the overall morphological characteristics of the flower when it blooms on the plant. From single, semi-double to double, it reflects the continuous increase in petals and the accompanying changes in external morphology. The flower types of Paeonia rockii can be divided into single type, lotus type, chrysanthemum type, rose type, anemone type, crown type and hydrangea type.
Cultivar name is the lowest level and basic unit of cultivar classification, representing a specific plant with production and application value and theoretical research value. It is the aggregate of all information, and its content is based on the description when the cultivar name was first legally published.
The ornamental value of Paeonia rockii
The most common use of Paeonia rockii is as an ornamental plant planted in gardens for outdoor viewing. From a macroscopic perspective, one can admire the tall tree form, different garden plant arrangement patterns, the pairing of Paeonia rockii with garden ornaments, and the landscape coordination with surrounding buildings, etc. One can also admire the beautiful peony scenery in different seasons, such as the color and form of young leaves in spring, the dark green, spreading bipinnately compound leaves with three leaflets in summer, the red leaves and fruit in autumn, and the trunk form and tree posture in winter. For flower appreciation, such as different flower colors, different degrees of delicate texture, different flower postures, and different floral fragrances, combined with cultivar names and peony culture, one can appreciate its demeanor, moral character, characteristics and culture, and so on.
In addition to outdoor appreciation, potted flowers and bonsai can also be enjoyed. Dried flowers and fresh cut flowers made from peony flowers as raw materials, combined with other dried and fresh flowers or plants, create ikebana works with special meanings that are even more worthy of our careful appreciation.