Who is the lord of Shaohua in spring, and the leader Qunfang is a peony. Entering April, it is another year of peony flowers, in Heze, Shandong, 10,000 acres of peonies are competing for beauty, attracting countless tourists to come. In recent years, based on peony planting, Heze has continuously expanded the industrial chain, promoted the integrated development of the peony industry "one after another", and bloomed the flower of the industry that enriches the people.
As the "peony capital of China", the cultivation of peony in Heze began in the Sui Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, and flourished in the Ming Dynasty, and has a history of more than 1,500 years. The cultivated peony varieties are prosperous, with 9 major color systems, 10 major flower types, and 1280 varieties, and the number of new varieties accounts for 80% of the domestic total. At present, Heze has planted peony area of more than 40 million acres, which is the world's largest and most diverse peony production base, export base and ornamental base.
Founded in the Song Dynasty, the Ningxiang Garden Scenic Area is one of the eight famous gardens in ancient northern China. There are more than 10 varieties of precious peonies such as white peony and black peony in the garden. Chen Xianhong, the person in charge of Ningxiangyuan, told reporters. It is understood that the peony of Ningxiangyuan will enter the full flowering period around the "May Day" holiday, at that time, a large sea of peony flowers swaying out of the rich posture under the breeze to meet the viewing needs of tourists.
The peony in full bloom in the Ningxiang Garden (photo by Tian Gaoxu, intern of CCTV)
Although the peony blossom is only temporary, the research and development and production of various products around the peony have enriched the industrial chain, injected new vitality into the local economy, and made this "flower of enriching the people" continue to bloom. The reporter saw in the exhibition hall of CommScope Biotechnology Co., Ltd., located in Luxi New District, Heze, that various products such as peony seed oil, peony stamen tea, and peony cosmetics with peony as raw materials were dazzling. Here, the peony shows its multiple values in another gesture. At present, there are more than 120 peony production, processing and export enterprises in Heze City, and the products are exported to more than 30 countries and regions such as the United States, France, Germany and Japan.
All kinds of peony products in the exhibition hall (photo by Tian Gaoxu, intern of CCTV)
"Peony is full of treasures, stamens can make tea, seeds can be squeezed for oil, and roots can be used in medicine...... Talking about the processing value of peony, Wang Liangang, general manager of CommScope Biotechnology Co., Ltd., introduced to reporters. It is understood that the company is the first batch of domestic manufacturers to develop peony seed oil, peony seed oil has a high health value, including more than 60 kinds of nutrients, the total unsaturated fatty acid content of more than 92%, known as "plant brain gold".
Wang Liangang said, "In the past, consumers' awareness of peony products was not high, but now as our Heze peony is becoming more and more famous, the products are gradually moving from 'niche' to 'mass', and the market is gradually expanding." "The production and processing of peony seed oil can not only generate income for the enterprise, but also bring benefits to the surrounding villagers, taking Wang Liangang's company as an example, the company needs 1,500 tons of peony seed raw materials every year, which can drive more than 1,000 growers around the country to increase their income.
Wang Liangang is introducing related products to reporters (photo by Tian Gaoxu, intern of CCTV)
In addition to the continuous development of the peony deep processing industry, Heze also strives to create peony culture, and injects new impetus into local cultural tourism by launching various cultural and creative products such as peony pile embroidery, dough molding, and root carving.
Chen Sujing is making peony dough sculpture (photo by intern Tian Gaoxu from CCTV)
In the hands of Chen Sujing, the inheritor of the dough sculpture in Muli Village, Malinggang Town, Heze, all kinds of colorful and exquisitely made peony dough sculptures can be the most "eye-catching", "These peony dough sculpture works can not only be viewed, but also edible. Chen Sujing said. Today, Chen Sujing's dough sculptures have gone abroad and are sold to more than a dozen countries overseas, and the surrounding villagers have also increased their income by learning dough sculptures.
In 2024, the No. 1 document of the Shandong Provincial Party Committee proposed to "vigorously develop agriculture with advantages and characteristics". In recent years, Heze City has continued to make efforts to cultivate peony, an advantageous agricultural product, and the industrial chain from peony planting, product processing to cultural tourism has promoted and developed together, forming a virtuous cycle of development pattern. At present, Heze peony has grown into a splendid flower of wealth with its luxurious posture.