Peony growers in the Mudan district of Heze, Shandong province, tend their flowers on Jan 10. [Photo by Gao Yuhua/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Peony growers in the Mudan district of Heze, Shandong province, are busy tending and packaging their fresh flowers for distribution as Spring Festival is around the corner. The flowers are perennially popular.

Farmers are adopting new growing techniques, including the use of greenhouses so that the flowers bloom in winter.

More than 300,000 pots of peonies are expected to enter markets this year from the district, which will increase farmers' income, officials said.

A farmer livestreams to sell peony products in a greenhouse in the Mudan district of Heze, Shandong province, on Jan 10. [Photo by Gao Yuhua/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Peony growers in Heze, Shandong province, package their fresh flowers for market on Jan 10, with Spring Festival around the corner. [Photo by Gao Yuhua/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Peony growers in Heze, Shandong province, package their fresh flowers for market on Jan 10, with Spring Festival around the corner. [Photo by Gao Yuhua/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Peony growers in Heze, Shandong province, package their fresh flowers for market on Jan 10, with Spring Festival around the corner. [Photo by Gao Yuhua/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Peony growers in Heze, Shandong province, package their fresh flowers for market on Jan 10, with Spring Festival around the corner. [Photo by Gao Yuhua/For chinadaily.com.cn]