Paeonia tenuifolia is a beautiful perennial plant with fiery red flowers. It blooms in April and May and its stem reaches up to 40 centimeters in height. Wild peony grows in dry places, on stony calcareous terrains. In Bulgaria, it can be seen in Dobrudja region, along the Black Sea coast and the region of Strandja Mountain. The closest to Sofia area planted with wild peony is located northwest of Bulgaria’s capital. The protected area named after this beautiful flower covers a territory of 13,52 hectares and is situated between the village of Voluyak and the town of Bozhuristhe.

Landscapes with blooming wild peonies attract the interest not only of nature lovers, but also of tourists. Environmental organizations have focused their efforts on adolescents, so that people can enjoy the beautiful view in the future. Through various initiatives, they acquaint the children with the beautiful wild flowers and the need for their conservation.

A national contest for children’s drawing named “The Wild Peonies 2020” is held in Bulgaria for the second consecutive year. The organizers from the creative studio with Hristo Botev 1934 community center in Bozhurishte received 530 illustrations of over 50 Bulgarian towns and villages. The young artists were sending their paintings online and an independent jury will select the winners in three categories. The results will be announced on June 5- the World Environment Day.

And since this year’s contest will be held under the sign of biodiversity, Paeonia tenuifolia plant species will be subject to an online debate themed “Are we able to protect the wild peonies near Bozhirishte?!”

Edited by: Elena Karkalanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov