Unique Yellowhorn Flowers in the Forbidden City

In the Forbidden City, there is a rare Yellowhorn tree. It grows to the north of the Palace of Tranquil Longevity (Ningshougong). Although several hundred years old, it is not luxurious but very thin, only about the thickness of an adult’s arm due to the poor geological conditions. Among the many tall ancient trees in the Forbidden City, it looks particularly inconspicuous, hidden between the wall and the rockeries and overtopped by the nearby lush lilac. However, this tree attracts visitors by its changing colors and stories. Its flowering period is from April to May every year. Each flower has 5 petals and is close to others.  
 

First of all, the yellowhorn flowers show different colors during its flowering period. When it first blooms, the central part of the flower is white. After two days, the color

deepens and gradually becomes green, yellow and crimson. When it is in full bloom, the flowers become a kind of purplish red, which is quite beautiful.
 

Secondly, this tree also had something to do with Chairman Mao's wife, Jiang Qing. Jiang Qing used to visit the Forbidden City for the yellowhorn flowers several times. The reason why Jiang Qing loves yellowhorn flowers is actually because of the Chinese name of its fruit, Wen Guan Guo, which has the similar pronunciation with “the official ministers rule the country”, by which way she could stretch her hands on state affairs. Jiang Qing also vigorously promoted the cultivation of yellowhorns in Northern China, and also introduced the oil produced by the fruit of yellowhorns to Nixon who visited China in 1972. At the funeral of Chairman Mao, the wreaths sent by Jiang Qing were also decorated with yellowhorn flowers.
 

Flowers	Place	Flowering Period
Pomegranate Flowers	To the south of the Gate of Glorious Harmony (Xihemen)	May - July
Begonias	In the Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhuadian), Palace of Eternal Longevity (Yongshougong), Garden of Benevolent Tranquility   (Cininggong Huayuan)	April - May
Apricot Flowers	In the northwestern corner of Imperial Garden (Yu Huayuan), to the west of Gate of Earthly Tranquility  (Kunningmen), in the Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenhuadian)	March - April
Pear Flowers	In the Palace of Longevity and Health (Shoukanggong) and Palace of Celestial Favor (Chengqiangong)	March - May
Lilacs	In the Belvedere of Auspicious Fortune (Jingqige), outside the Gate of Glorious Harmony (Xihemen) and Gate of Mutual Harmony (Xihemen), in the Palace of Prolong Happiness (Yanxigong)	April - May
Beijing Mockorange	In the Bower of Crimson Snow (Jiangxuexuan)	April - June
Sophora Flowers	In the Gate of Spiritual Cultivation (Yangxingmen)	April - June
Chinese Trumpet Creeper	In the Lodge of Spiritual Cultivation (Yangxingzhai)	May - August
Plum Blossoms	In the of Imperial Garden (Yu Huayuan), Belvedere of Auspicious Fortune (Jingqige)	February - March