A total of 150,000 potted peonies from a horticulture company in Heze, Shandong province will hit the market in mid to late March, according to the Heze peony industrial development center.

“This is a new attempt to launch potted peony products, which are different from traditionally-planted flowers” said Li Xiaoqi, a manager of the horticulture company.

Li Xiaoqi introduces the company’s potted peony plants. [Photo/iqilu.com]

“We have worked with our counterparts in the Netherlands to develop the plants, which will remain green throughout the year and bloom every season. They can be placed anywhere, from desks at the office to cabinets at home.”

According to Li, the company traditionally sells peony seedlings in autumn, and it takes more than half a year for the plant to bloom. They also have a very short flowering period and a low survival rate.

Li said that the flower always needs tender love and care, making it a big responsibility for an average person. However, the company’s potted products are far easier to take care of.

A peony planting center belonging to Li Xiaoqi. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Li said that the company will use more online channels to sell its flowers and cater to younger customers savvy to e-commerce. The company will also rename its flowers based on color and shape and begin using high-quality packaging to attract more customers.

Richard Windhorst, CEO of a horticulture company from the Netherlands, said that he loves the peony flower and that Heze has a long history of cultivation, which is why he decided to jointly establish a company with Li.