Peony was originally a wild shrub in mountainous areas such as Shaanxi, Sichuan, Shandong, Henan, Tibet, and Yunnan. It grows scattered on hillsides and forest edges at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. The cultivation of peonies in my country can be traced back to more than 2,000 years ago. In 1972, medical slips found in the Kueng Tomb of the Eastern Han Dynasty in Wuwei, Gansu Province already contained records of peonies being used as medicine.
Guangxu Peony Chinese Painting Peony has been used as an ornamental plant since the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and has been recorded in many documents. Liu Saike's "Jia Records" said: "Yang Zihua of the Northern Qi Dynasty painted peonies." Since peonies have been included in paintings, they are undoubtedly the objects of appreciation. Peonies have been cultivated in China for 1,400 years.
During the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty (AD 605-618) "opened up two hundred miles of land as Xiyuan..., and all the birds, animals, plants and trees in Zhaotianxia were sent to the capital (today's Luoyang, Henan)... . Twenty boxes of peonies were brought into Yizhou (now Yixian County, Hebei Province)." "Sui Zhi Su Wen Pian" says: "Peony blooms in the second fifth of the Qingming Dynasty."
Peony cultivation began to flourish in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It flourished in Chang'an during the Kaiyuan period. Legend has it that there was a man named Song Shanfu in Luoyang who was good at growing flowers. At the call of Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty, he went to Lishan Mountain to plant more than 10,000 flowers of different colors ("Dragon City Record"). Li Bai said, "The clouds are like clothes, the flowers are like faces, and the spring breeze blows over the threshold and the dew is thick. If we hadn't seen each other on the top of the jade mountain, we would have met under the moon at Yaotai." Three other "Qing Ping Diao" poems sing about peonies of several different colors. "The peonies in front of the court have no character, and the hibiscus on the pond is quiet and emotionless. Peonies are the only true national beauty, and they move the capital when they bloom." (Liu Yuxi: "Peony Appreciation") "Spring is approaching dusk in the imperial city, and there is noisy carriages and horses;** *When I was talking about peonies, I went to buy flowers. There is no constant price, and the reward depends on the number of flowers: a hundred red flowers are blooming, and the flowers are scattered every step of the way... It is a custom in every family, and everyone is confused..." ( Bai Juyi: "Buying Flowers") From the above poems, we can see the grand cultivation of peonies in Chang'an, the imperial capital at that time. At this time, peonies not only had more colors, but also had some novel mutations and double petals. "There is a nest of peonies in Xingtang Temple, and there are 1,200 flowers in Yuanhe. The colors include upright halo, inverted halo, light red, light purple, purple white, white sandalwood, etc. There is only deep red, and there are also mosaics and leaves. There are no flowers in the middle, but flowers on the stage, with a flower surface of seven or eight inches." ("Youyang Zazu") "Emperor Mu Zong planted a thousand-leaf peony in front of the palace, and the flowers began to bloom, and the fragrance was astonishing. "Big and red." ("Du Yang Zazu") shows that my country had double peonies as early as the ninth century AD.
In the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279), the peony cultivation center in China moved from Chang'an to Luoyang, with more varieties and more systematic cultivation techniques; a number of theoretical monographs appeared. The works of this period include Ouyang Xiu's "Luoyang Peony Records"; Zhou Shihou's "Yinjiang Zhou Family's Luoyang Peony Records" and "Luoyang Flowers and Trees"; Zhang Xun's "Luoyang Flower Pu" and so on. It describes the cultivation and management of peonies and summarizes a relatively complete set of mature experiences.
In the late Northern Song Dynasty, wars continued, Luoyang peonies began to decline, and Chenzhou peonies took their place. Zhang Bangji wrote "Chenzhou Peonies" and said: "Luoyang peonies can be seen in the flower tree, but they are not as prosperous as Chenzhou peonies." And there are many. The flowers in a round household are like planting millet and millet, and they are measured in acres." During the Southern Song Dynasty, the center of peony cultivation moved from Luoyang in the north to Tianpeng (now Pengzhou City, Sichuan Province), Chengdu, and Chengdu in the south. Hangzhou and other places. The peonies cultivated by Tianpeng are the best in Sichuan and are known as "Little Xijing". The poet Lu You was an official in Shu, visited and admired the flowers in person, and wrote "Tianpeng Peony Book" (1178). After the Song Dynasty moved south, Hangzhou peonies developed, and some novel varieties appeared, such as 'Chongtai Jiuxin Lilac Peony', White Flower Qingyuan Peony' and so on.
The Yuan Dynasty was a low ebb period for the development of peonies in China. There were only a handful of good varieties, the varieties were degenerated, and double-flowered varieties were rare. Because of the saying "It is rare to find a thousand leaves alone, but a thousand people are beautiful." Ten thousand people are outstanding, especially those who are rare throughout the century." (Yao Sui's "Preface to Peony") sigh!
In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), the center of peony cultivation moved to Bozhou, Anhui. Xia Zhichen's "Review of Bozhou Peony" says: "My Bozhou peony has been in full bloom for many years, and its beauty has changed three times, especially between Jim and Meng. Waiting for it, there is a heavenly fragrance, pomegranate red, which is more beautiful than the beauty, palace red robe, and colored glaze. There are different kinds of new reds, and the mixed red ones are the last ones. There is also a rhubarb variety, which is light and lovely, with no less than three changes. The top of the Buddha is white, mostly red, silvery red, and pink. For the best.
"It is also said: "In the Cottage of Wu, the planting was almost off-center, so I used two colors to make a cluster, red and white, in different shapes, intricately intertwined. I also used flat-headed purple to celebrate the fragrance of the sky, and three colors of early spring red were inserted into the flower clusters. It was collected into an article, and it bloomed as brightly as a brocade. At this time, the flower arrangement technology in China was pioneered.
In the Ming Dynasty, although Bozhou peonies were famous, peonies were not cultivated in Caozhou (now Heze, Shandong), the capital of Beijing. It gradually became prosperous. Around Taihu Lake in the south of the Yangtze River, peony was also introduced in Lanzhou and Linxia in the northwest.
Both Caozhou and Bozhou introduced peonies during the Jiajing period (1522-1567) of the Ming Dynasty, and also during the Wanli period (1573-1620). The two places exchanged varieties with each other, and "most of the Cao flowers came to Bo" ("Caozhou Peony Book" by Yu Pengnian of the Qing Dynasty); Bozhou also introduced many famous Caozhou products, as recorded in "The History of Bozhou Peony" This variety of "gold and jade" is said to be: "produced in Caozhou, it is the first grade. "There are also two kinds, "Renji Red" and "Pingshi Red", which are also produced in Caozhou. "Caonan Peony Book" also says: "In the Ming Dynasty, Caonan Peony was first produced in the sea." ”
Since Beijing was the capital of Liao and Jin Dynasties, peony cultivation has become increasingly prosperous. The "Beijing Kao" of the Ming Dynasty records that Liao Shengzong (982-1031 AD) in the 12th year of Tonghe (995). Go to Changchun Palace to see peonies. In the Ming Dynasty, peony cultivation was very popular, and there were three famous gardens outside the city: Liangjiayuan, Qinghua Garden and Hui'an Garden. In the Ming Dynasty, peonies were most popular in Jiangyin. In addition, many peonies were planted in Guanyang, Guangxi. According to the "Guangxi Tongzhi" of the Ming Dynasty, "peonies were produced in Lingchuan and Guanyang, and Guanyang peonies had a high reputation." For those who are one foot tall, their place name is Xiaoluoyang. "
In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), the cultivation of peonies in Caozhou became even more prosperous. "Cao County Chronicles" says: "Peony is not a native product, and it first flourished in Luoxia (now Luonan County, Shaanxi Province) ), and then flourished in Bozhou. At that time, there were six to seven hundred species, arranged in five colors. As of now, Bozhou is lonely, and all the great events have returned to Caozhou. "Caozhou garden households plant flowers like millet and millet. They work in hectares and build borders one after another." "("Peony Spectrum of Caozhou"). In his book "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio", Pu Songling also wrote about "Caozhou Peony Jia Qilu". At this time, peony cultivation was common in villages in the northeast of Caozhou City. There are many people who are engaged in flower cultivation and have gardens and nurseries. Among them, Wanglizhuang, Hongmiao, Maozhuang and Zhaolou villages are the most popular. During the Daoguang period, Zhao Yutian built a garden in the north of the village, specializing in peonies and peonies. The village's most successful garden is surrounded by mulberry trees, which is called the "Sangli Garden". There are 151 species of peonies in the garden, which is called "Ten counties and two prefectures on the left side of the mountain." Speaking of peony, Caozhou is unique. There are ten cities and one state in Caozhou, and Heze is the only one in Heze. "Heze is a county and a district. I don't know how many of them there are. The only place where peonies come out is in a corner in the north of the city, under the sun of Mount Lu, and outside of Fan Di, the continuous praise cannot be extended for ten miles." Later, there was the "Qiyuan Peony Spectrum", and there were more than 140 people who verified its name. At that time, the cultivation area had reached more than 500 acres, and more than 100,000 plants were exported every year to Guangzhou, Tianjin, Beijing, Hankou, Xi'an, They are sold in Jinan and other places, and most of them are shipped to Guangzhou. There is a popular saying among local farmers: "It is better to plant fruit trees than papayas and persimmons, and to plant peonies and peonies." "Coupled with social hobbies, Heze people are good at growing flowers, and peony root bark can be used for medicinal purposes, so Heze peony has been developing for a long time.
In the Qing Dynasty, peonies were also cultivated in most areas of Gansu . Lanzhou, Linxia, ??and Lintao are the cultivation centers. The "Xin Tong Zhi of Gansu" compiled in the late Qing Dynasty once recorded that peonies are "available in all states in Gansu, but Lanzhou is more prosperous and has five colors." Opposite the Huayuan Village in Du Fuchuan, peonies are abundant here. According to "Yan'an Prefecture Chronicles" edited by Jiajing in the Qing Dynasty, "Huayuan produces so many peonies that woodcutters use them as wages." "People nearby have the custom of coming here to enjoy flowers on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, which has a history of more than a thousand years.
Among the peonies in the south of the Yangtze River are Ningguo peonies and Tongling peonies. According to the "Ningguo County Chronicle" compiled in 1936 Zai, "Ningguo and Panlong produce peonies, white and yellow are the most valuable,... Regarding Tongling peonies, according to "Tongling County Chronicles": "In the stone sinuses of Changshan Mountain, there is a white peony... which is gorgeous and beautiful." According to legend, it was planted by Ge Hong. "Ge Hong was from the Jin Dynasty. According to this legend, it has a history of 1,600 years.
After the founding of New China, Chinese peonies were restored and developed.
At present, the peony cultivation area in Heze has reached more than 50,000 acres, with more than 600 varieties. It has become the Chinese peony cultivation, ornamental and scientific research center with the largest area and most varieties in the world, ranking among the best in the world.
There is another legend, which has not been verified in official history, has been recorded in unofficial history, and is widely circulated among the people.
Wu Zetian ascended the throne and called himself the Holy Emperor. One winter, she suddenly became very interested and took her concubines and maids to Shangyuan to drink and enjoy the snow. At this time, the heavy snow had just stopped, and I saw that all the rockeries, pavilions, bridges, and promenades were dressed in pure white. Although the branches and leaves of various flowers, plants and trees were withered, they were dressed up by the snow and looked like silver branches and jade flowers. Beautiful; occasionally two birds fly over, lightly dusting the branches and scattering white catkins, like flying butterflies. Wu Zetian was mesmerized by the sight. She didn't expect the snow scenery to be so magnificent. Suddenly, she discovered that there were little flames burning and jumping in the white snow. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be red plum blossoms in full bloom. Wu Zetian was extremely happy! She couldn't help but recite a poem to express her joyful feelings. When the concubines who accompanied them to enjoy the flowers saw how happy the Queen Mother was, they all rushed to toast her. At this time, one of the concubines said: "Empress Wu, no matter how good the plum blossoms are, they bloom alone. If you can issue an imperial edict, let her Wouldn’t it be more satisfying to have a garden full of flowers blooming?
Another concubine shook her head and said, “It is the coldest month of winter, and the plum blossoms are in season. If you want a hundred flowers to bloom, you have to wait until next spring. "
Wu Zetian burst into laughter after hearing this and said: "It's not surprising that flowers bloom in spring. Hundreds of flowers blooming against the snow are what I want.
The concubines saw that she was already a little drunk, so they persuaded her: "Empress Wu, it's late, please go back to the palace to rest." If you still want to watch it, come back tomorrow morning. "
Wu Zetian was helped back to the palace by the palace maid. But her drunkenness was still lingering, and she was still thinking about letting the flowers bloom in the snow. So, she ordered the palace maid to bring the four treasures of the study, and immediately held the frost in her hand. Soaked in thick ink, he wrote a five-character poem on white silk:
In the Ming Dynasty, I traveled to Shangyuan to announce the spring as quickly as possible
The flowers bloomed all night long, not waiting for the morning breeze to blow.
After writing, she asked the palace maid to take it to Shangyuan and burn it in order to report to the Flower God.
After the palace maid took Wu Zetian’s edict to Shangyuan and burned it, she frightened the Baihua Fairy. . Everyone gathered together quickly to discuss countermeasures.
Peach Blossom Fairy was the timid one and said timidly: "Wu Zetian is cruel and can do anything. We dare not disobey." ah! "
A few little flower fairies also timidly echoed: "Yes! Let’s prepare early and open in advance! "
Fairy Peony disagreed with their opinions and said angrily: "Wu Zetian is too domineering. You are in charge of human affairs, but now you are in charge of us. These flowers bloom, each has its own season, the world is created, and the four seasons follow. How can I allow you to rebel against heaven and earth? Sisters, we can’t follow this! "
When all the flower fairies heard what the Peony Fairy said, they all felt that everything made sense. But when they thought about Wu Zetian's cruelty, they all hesitated again.
The Peach Blossom Fairy begged the Peony Fairy. Said: Good sister, please listen to me, let's just obey. Wu Zetian kills people like trampling an ant, let alone us delicate flowers?
Many fairies then said: "Sister, This is also the time to open. Otherwise, disaster will be imminent. "
The Peony Fairy said stubbornly: "Don't do anything against your will. As long as we are strong-willed and strong-willed, what can she do to me? "
At this time, the drums were beating for the fourth time, and the sky was about to get bright. The flower fairies had made up their minds to see the Peony Fairy, so they had to disperse in a hurry and go to bloom.
Hundreds of birds When Wu Zetian woke up, her drunkenness had completely subsided. She got up and sat in front of the mirror to let her maid dress up. At this moment, the palace maid opened the door and announced happily: "Long live my life." All the flowers in Shangyuan are in bloom! "
Wu Zetian was overjoyed when she heard this. She thought that the poem she wrote in the evening was just a "drunk joke", but she did not expect that the flowers would actually bloom according to the order. She hurriedly walked out of the palace and came to Shangyuan . Looking up, the peach blossoms, plum blossoms, magnolias, crabapples, hibiscus, lilacs, etc. are all in full bloom. They are colorful and colorful, reflecting the brilliant morning glow and the bright white snow. Lined with green leaves, swaying in the wind, looking up and down, graceful and charming. At this time, all the civil and military officials came to watch.
When Wu Zetian faced the ministers, she was so proud that she strode toward a field of bare peonies. When she saw that only the peonies were left among the flowers, she felt angry. I thought, this is not bad! If you disobey your words, how can I still govern? Besides, wouldn’t it be a loss of face to face these civil and military officials? The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became, and she yelled: "How dare you, Peony! How dare you be so presumptuous and resist the decree. Set it on fire, not a single one left!" After that, she left angrily.
After receiving the order, the warriors immediately lit firewood and threw it into the peonies. Suddenly, thick smoke billowed and flames roared, only the peonies crackled. Seeing that a patch of peonies was about to be destroyed, the Peony Fairy couldn't help but shed tears, feeling extremely sad and angry.
At noon, the fire burned out and the peony garden turned into ashes. The chamberlain reported to Wu Zetian: Long live Qi, the peony has been burned to ashes.
Wu Zetian was still angry and said bitterly: "Eradicate it by the roots, demote it out of Chang'an, throw it to Mang Mountain in Luoyang, and make it extinct!"
Why did Wu Zetian want to do this? How about relegating Peony to Mangshan Mountain in Luoyang? It turns out that she often comes to Luoyang and has been to Mang Mountain. She knew that the ravines were intertwined and they were remote and desolate, so that she could suffer alone and suffer in order to relieve the hatred in her heart.
The warriors immediately dug up the peonies with iron sledgehammers, loaded them into cars overnight, sent them to Luoyang, and threw them into the Mang Mountains.
Who would have known that as soon as the peony was planted in the new soil, it would take root again. Next spring, the mountains will be green. People in Mangshan have been fond of peonies for a long time. Every family transplants and cultivates peonies. Later, people in the city heard about it and came to transplant it one after another. The Peony Fairy was very happy to see that Luoyang people loved peonies so much. As soon as Grain Rain arrives, the plants are in full bloom and appear in various shapes. People watching the peonies, the old and the young, watch the peonies day and night, and the scene is extraordinary.
How can there be a flower fairy?