Peng’s tulip to bloom next year

The new strain of tulip that was named by Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, in the Netherlands on Sunday is to be introduced to China.[Special coverage]

"If everything goes to plan, seed balls will be planted this autumn and winter," said Wu Wei, an official from the Shanghai Botanical Garden.

"Then visitors will be able to see the tulips during the Shanghai Flower Exhibition next spring," he said.

Peng christened the new tulip "Cathay" while on a visit to the world famous Keukenhof flower garden, near the town of Lisse.

Wu said the botanical garden, which will host this year's flower exhibition, will discuss the purchase of the seed balls with Dutch officials. The floral show runs from Friday until May 31, and tulips will be one of its highlights.

Shanghai Flower Port said it also hopes to introduce the new strain and will contact Dutch suppliers soon.

According to local horticulturists, the weather and soil conditions in Shanghai are ideal for growing tulips.