Peonies unfold their petals to welcome early summer in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province. [Photo provided to cnjiwang.com]

The first blossoms recently emerged in the Peony Garden of Changchun, capital city of Northeast China's Jilin province, harbingers of a full blossoming and of a big visual treat for local residents.

The first of this year's flowers belong to the central plains tree peony cultivars group, which was named after its area of origin in the Central Plains. It includes the largest number of varieties in China and enjoys the longest cultivation history. It has been the representative Chinese peony for a long time.

In addition to the central plains tree peonies, there are more than 260 domestic and foreign peony varieties in the Changchun Peony Garden, totaling over 11,000 plants.

As the weather is getting warmer, the garden's peonies are expected to be in full bloom in mid to late May.