Zinnia is a member of the Asteraceae family, belonging to the genus Gaillardia, commonly known as white AI, jade hibiscus, or hibiscus. It is a perennial evergreen shrub that thrives in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, particularly in Shanghai and Jiangsu. This plant is often grown in pots or used for bonsai, making it an excellent choice for balconies, indoor spaces, and gardens. When touched, its leaves emit a strong, pleasant aroma, reminiscent of Aixiang and wild chrysanthemums, offering a refreshing and cooling sensation.
The Gerbera plant typically grows between 60 to 120 cm tall, with narrow, ovate leaves clustered at the top of the stems. Each leaf measures about 2–3 cm in length and 0.3–0.5 cm in width, with an oval tip and a wedge-shaped base, lacking any serration. The leaves are covered in silvery-gray hairs. The flower heads are nearly spherical, golden yellow, and about 4–5 mm in diameter, appearing in the upper leaf axils. The flowering season usually occurs from August to September. Xiangju, also known as the "fragrant chrysanthemum," resembles silver-leaf chrysanthemums but has more delicate and aromatic foliage. It is a specialty flower of Huai'an City in Jiangsu Province.
Native to southern China, Xiangju prefers warm and humid climates, thriving best at temperatures between 15–25°C. It can tolerate high temperatures up to 35°C and is relatively cold-resistant, surviving winter temperatures around 0°C. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it should be brought indoors after the first frost and moved back outside during Qingming to Guyu. Xiangju requires full sunlight during spring, autumn, and winter, with at least 6 hours of daily light. However, during the hot summer months, it benefits from partial shade. It grows well in loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam soil, with a pH range of 6–7.5. While it prefers moist conditions, proper drainage is essential during the rainy season to prevent root rot.
In terms of plant morphology, Xiangju is an erect, branched shrub that reaches heights of 10–40 cm. Its leaves are alternate, tightly clustered at the top of the branches, narrowly ovate in shape, and densely covered with grayish-white hairs. The leaves are typically 2–3 cm long and have a 3–5 lobed or divided apex. The flowers are subglobose, measuring 4–5 mm in diameter, and appear in the upper leaf axils on stalked peduncles, forming a terminal, leafy raceme. The flowers are tubular and bisexual, with five short lobes. The fruit is an achene with five angular edges and a short, split crown. Flowering occurs in spring, and the plant is widely cultivated in southern China.
Germination typically begins in early April, followed by a rapid growth phase of new shoots from early May to mid-June. Growth slows during the hot summer months, with only secondary growth occurring in autumn. However, the plant does not reach the same size as in spring. The shoots have strong regenerative abilities, are highly tolerant of pruning, and their soft branches make them easy to shape into desired forms.
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