Beishixia village in Pingyin county has a rose plantation measuring more than 1,200 mu (80 hectare). Here, almost every family is involved in the business of growing roses.

As roses become ripe for harvesting in May, flower growers have to wake up before sunrise to pick the half-blooming flowers which have a higher value than buds or those in full bloom, says Wang Daojun, a rose grower with more than 20 years of experience.

Wang and his wife, who have planted more than 4,000 rose trees, always wake up at 4 am or even earlier to pick roses in May.

The freshly-picked roses will be sent to processing factories near the village. After undergoing high-tech processing procedures, the roses will be turned into products such as tea and essential oils that are exported around the world.

Pingyi county is home to more than 60,000 mu of rose plantations and over 40 rose processing companies. The area has formed a complete industrial chain including planting, production, sales and processing.

The Pingyin rose brand value is expected to reach 2.55 billion yuan ($359.5 million). There are currently more than 130 types of products made from roses, including food, medicine, health care products, wine, beverage, cosmetics, handicrafts and home textile.

A flower grower picks half-blooming roses in Beishixia village, Pingyin county, Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo/jinanews.com]

Beishixia village in Meigui town boasts a rose plantation of more than 1,200 mu. Here, almost every villager grows roses.  [Photo/jinanews.com]

A flower grower picks half-blooming roses in Beishixia village, Meigui town, Pingyin county. [Photo/jinanews.com]

The freshly-picked roses will be sent to processing factories near the village. [Photo/jinanews.com]