Potted plants bloom profusely, and their beauty rivals that of peonies; they are easy to grow and can also be trained as bonsai

Introduction

Green plants in pots are essential decorative touches for home life. Keeping some flowers and plants at home has many benefits: they beautify the room and also lift your mood. "Flower Voice Potted Plant Diary, Issue 1335" introduces you to a very beautiful ornamental flower.

Today's featured plant

The phrase "national beauty and heavenly fragrance" belongs exclusively to the peony, and there is no need to elaborate on its ornamental value. In many cities in northern China, there are flower shows themed around peonies every year. In the floral world, there is a flower that can contend with the peony, and that is the camellia, of which people say, "Everyone calls the peony beautiful, but I say the peony is not the equal of the camellia." The camellia is likewise a traditional famous flower of China, with a great many varieties. Today we introduce one premium variety.

Zhenghuangqi

This variety is named "Zhenghuangqi" and comes from Fujian Province, China. It bears deep yellow flowers and stands out strikingly in a camellia family that is otherwise either red or white. The flowers are large and double, with a peony-like flower form, and the flower diameter reaches 10 cm. The blooms are elegant in posture and carry an intoxicating fragrance. It is a treasured camellia and a representative of the yellow series.

Long blooming period

Most camellias have a long blooming period, flowering from October to May of the following year, with the peak blooming period usually from January to March, so they can be placed in the hall as a Lunar New Year flower. Zhenghuangqi, however, has even better flowering performance, and this variety's blooming period can last until June or July. It is one of the rare varieties that also blooms in summer, and is therefore especially loved by flower enthusiasts, making up for the regret of having no camellias to admire in summer.

Easy to cultivate

Zhenghuangqi is a native Chinese variety and is relatively well adapted to the geography and climate of most regions of China, making it fairly easy to cultivate. Its drawback is that it is not cold tolerant, so in northern regions it must be moved indoors in winter. For pot cultivation, slightly acidic loess soil that drains well and is loose and fertile is best. For beginners growing camellias, simply choose special camellia soil, which is generally available in floral shops.

Plant once, enjoy flowers year after year

The Zhenghuangqi plant is not large; in a pot it generally does not exceed half a meter. It has a graceful tree shape, and its leaves stay evergreen through the four seasons, glossy and bright. Spring and autumn are the best cultivation seasons, when growth is vigorous, and it tolerates pruning, making it an important tree material for the southern bonsai school. It is a perennial, so plant it once and enjoy flowers every year.