An old legend says that Romanian peonies are the sign of the earth reddened by the blood of the Moldavian heroes who fell in the battle of Roșcani in 1574. This story deeply rooted in Romanian tradition and history transforms peonies into a symbol of courage, sacrifice and resistance.
Romanian peonies, the most spectacular flowers
The Romanian peony is a species of flower unique in Europe, which can only be found in our country. These days, Romanians can see peonies in bloom in the Galați Botanical Garden. A lot of peonies are found here and many come to take spectacular pictures with them.
“Even if the weather forecast predicted rainy weather, the peonies in the Galati Botanical Garden insist that you come and see them in bloom! It’s still sunny outside and a walk in the middle of nature is welcome”, announced the representatives of the Natural Sciences Museum Complex in a message accompanied by blooming peonies.
The peony is celebrated in the town of Băneasa in Galați county. The area covers a total area of 153 hectares and is on the list of 200 nature reserves under the administration of the National Forestry-Romsilva Administration. The wild Romanian peony grows in this area, a species protected by law.
Big fines for those who break Romanian peonies
Legends say that those who pluck peony flowers will be attacked by woodpeckers. Those who step on peonies or break them risk huge fines. According to GEO no. 195/2005, fines for individuals can reach between 5,000 and 10,000 lei, while legal entities can be fined between 30,000 and 60,000 lei.
Peony, the national flower of Romania
In 2022, President Klaus Iohannis promulgated the Law by which the peony is declared the national flower of Romania, according to adevarul.ro.
“The peony flower, from the Paeoniaceae family, is declared as the National Flower of Romania. In order to mark the National Flower of Romania, a Peony Festival is organized annually, at the national and local level, a horticultural event, in which different species of peony will be exhibited in landscape and ornamental arrangements. On this occasion, in the framework of some scientific symposia, the biological and ornamental characteristics of the different species of peony, especially the wild ones, will be presented,” the law states.
