Peonies are native to China. They are highly valued there, and are often referred to as the “king of flowers”. They were the national flower prior to 1929, when they were replaced by the plum tree. Peonies have been popular in China since the Sui dynasty. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, they were planted at the Imperial Palace. Because of this, peony symbolism also includes nobility, honor, and wealth. One of the most popular cities in China to see peonies is Luoyang, which is sometimes referred to as the City of Peony. It houses the National Peony Garden, which has over 100 different kinds of peonies and hosts an annual peony festival.