Asia, Europe, and western North America are the native habitats of peonies. The peony was once regarded as the national flower of China (it is now officially the plum blossom). In the seventh century BCE, Tang Dynasty citizens in China started cultivating peonies in the royal courts. Early in the 11th century, Japan became a popular destination for them, and in the 18th century, France and England followed. Peonies started becoming increasingly well-liked in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In fact, the peony replaced the zinnia as Indiana’s official state flower in 1957.
Where do peonies typically grow?
Peonies are vibrantly colored flowering plants that make wonderful additions to gardens. They are simple to cultivate and don’t need much maintenance to prosper.
These resilient perennial plants can withstand harsh winters, and some of them may even outlive people.
North of South Carolina and Texas is where the majority of peony are grown in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) adds that while certain kinds can grow further south, they rarely blossom because the winter temperatures are not cold enough for flower buds to properly mature.
Peonies come in many different types, but the two that are most frequently planted are garden (herbaceous) and tree peonies.
The typical garden peony can be found in many home gardens and comes in a range of bloom shapes.
Garden peonies come in five different varieties, each with a distinctive petal shape. Single, semi-double, double, Japanese, and anemone are among them.
On woody stems with sparse branches, tree peonies can reach eye height. The buds for the upcoming year’s growth are found on the stems, and they are maintained all year long.
Can you easily discover peonies?
Peonies may be found in zones three through eight, and while tree peonies prefer dappled shade, herbaceous peonies prefer lots of sunshine. The first week of April is typically the optimum time to plant. When choosing herbaceous peony roots for planting, search for strong, meaty roots (they should feel like firm carrots), lots of eyes, and good health. It’s crucial to plant with the eyes of the root at the proper depth. By zone, this varies Generally speaking, the warmer your climate, the closer the eyes should be to the surface. Although fall or spring, when temperatures are mild, are optimal, you may also buy a plant that has been grown in a container. These plants will typically be at least three years old and can be planted straight away.
Tree peonies, also known as Paeonia suffruticosa, are hard to come by, but if you can, they’re well worth the effort. Find the point where the root and stem converge to plant, and then dig one inch further. The trees can live for hundreds of years and can reach heights of seven to eight feet. The Chinese tree peony is one of the most appreciated varieties. Contrary to what its name suggests, it is a sparsely branched deciduous shrub with enormous (and frequently fragrant) white, pink, red, or purple flowers. For several years, Kasha and David Furman of Cricket Hill Garden in Thomaston, Connecticut, have been building connections with Chinese farmers and importing these lovely plants. You should plant tree peony in the fall because planting them in the spring might not give them enough time to produce the roots they need to support a new flush of growth. After planting, give your tree peony regular waterings and deadheadings.
Do peony grow in Japan?
No native tree peony species exist in Japan. According to historians, the tree peonies, or botan in Japanese, first appeared in Japan in the eighth century CE. It is generally agreed by historians that Buddhist monks—whether Chinese or Japanese—were in charge of delivering tree peonies to Japan. In this setting, tree peonies were viewed as significant medicinal plants rather than beautiful garden plants. The massive transfer of goods and concepts from China to Japan included tree peonies.
Some sources attribute the original introduction of tree peony to Japan to the great Buddhist scholar and monk Kb-Daishi.
Tree peony were cultivated as attractive plants in temple and court gardens throughout the following few hundred years, but it wasn’t until the Edo era (1603 to 1868) that their cultivation spread widely. The introduction of grafting as the primary method of multiplication during this time is primarily to blame for the rapid expansion of tree peony farming. Tokyo, Kyoto, as well as the western coastal prefectures of Niigata and Shimane, were the primary centers of cultivation and propagation.
Hyakken’s peonies
Utagawa Shigenobu’s 1866 woodblock print shows tree peonies in a well-known public garden in Tokyo.
Similar to China, tree peonies have deep cultural value in Japan. Tree peonies are a symbol of good fortune and a righteous and noble attitude in Japanese poetry and visual art.
Japanese tree peonies first appeared in western European botanical gardens in the middle of the 19th century. By the 1890s, a number of sizable nurseries with headquarters in Japan were shipping a significant amount of tree peony to both Europe and the US.
The Yokohama Nursery was renowned for its extensive collection of lilies, irises, and tree peonies. From the early 1900s to the eve of World War 2, this nursery sent goods to the United States.
A detail from a 1920s Yokohama Nursery catalog with gorgeous printing. The varieties displayed are, in order, “Peak of Mt. Fuji, also known as Fuji-no-mime, and Kasane Lion, also known as Kasane-jishi.
A side note: For those who think tree peonies are pricey, take into account that a rare book trader will charge you $5,500 for a vintage Yokohama nursery brochure. By comparison, the real Japanese tree peony on our website, which start at $79, are inexpensive!
There has been a lot of misunderstanding about the proper identification of Japanese tree peony among nursery experts and collectors since they were first brought to the United States more than a century ago. This annoyance was expressed by the grower John C. Wister in his 1962 book, The Peonies:
“Our difficulties [in correctly classifying Japanese tree peony cultivars] have been caused by some Japanese nurseryman’s negligence or dishonesty. From 1910 to 1925, the main exporters would provide a collection of fifty types under fifty different labels, and all but two or three plants would turn out to be identical. The very same company would provide fifty plants of a unique white kind, and the blooms would open in shades of pink, crimson, and purple.
Since then, unfortunately, little has changed; imported Japanese tree peony continue to frequently have incorrect labels. Whether they lived up to their reputation or not, Japanese tree peonies played a significant role in the hybridization of tree peonies by breeders like Prof. Arthur Saunders and Nassos Daphnis. To develop the stunning yellow and apricot tree peonies like High Noon and Marchioness, these brilliant hybridizers mixed Japanese tree peonies with the species tree peony P. lutea.
Jolly Longevity
A cultivar from the renowned peony-growing island of Shimane is called Shimane Chojuraku.
called “Black Dragon Brocade” A very dark and highly valued cultivar is kokuryu nisjiki.
The “Seven Gods of Fortune” One of our most colorful dark pink Japanese tree peonies is Shin Shichifukujin.
Perhaps the brightest red tree peony in our entire collection is ‘The Sun’ Taiyo.
Japanese tree peonies frequently exhibit a number of morphological characteristics in both their flower appearance and their development habits. This homogeneity is likely a product of both the Japanese tree peonies’ relatively small genetic ancestry and the producers’ aesthetic choices. Japanese tree peonies commonly have huge blooms, 8–12 in diameter, upward-facing, open semi-double flower shapes, and intensely vivid colors, yet they are frequently less fragrant than Chinese tree peonies. When mature, most shrubs are 4 tall and wide. Compared to its Chinese counterparts, Japanese tree peonies are more erect and less bushy. Many of the highly divided leaves have a bluish green hue.
This plant serves as a good example of how Japanese tree peony tend to grow straight rather than bushy.
The majority of Japanese tree peony are semi-double, however there are some significant outliers to this rule. A few types are considered fine doubles, while a large group of semi-double blossoms are referred to as jishi or lion shape. There blooms are believed to resemble a lion’s mane, which is disheveled and tangled.
Queen of Flowers
Rare Japanese tree peony called Kao blooms completely twice.
Another double form Japanese tree peony is Fusotsukasa, which means “Monitor of the Palace at Sunrise.”
Black Jade Lion
A variety called Hakuojishi is reported to blossom in the shape of a lion’s main.
The Kan Botanor “Winter Blooming” tree peonies are a fascinating subgroup of Japanese tree peonies. Depending on the variety, this type of tree peony blooms in the spring and then reblooms from November to January. The plant only produces a few leaves and much tiny flowers in the winter. It is thought that these unusual varieties date back to the 1700s.
In Japan, straw mats are used to preserve tree peonies that bloom in the winter. At this picture, a tree peony in a park in Tokyo is flowering in December.
It appears that Winter Blooming Tree Peonies were created to thrive in particular temperatures in Japan. We are unaware of any American growers who have been successful in cultivating Kan Botan.
This wonderful movie depicts peonies in winter bloom in the Hakozaki Shrine flower garden, a Shinto shrine in Fukuoka City, Kyushu, Japan.
Toichi Itoh, a Japanese plant hybridizer, was the first to successfully cross a tree peony with a herbaceous peony in the 20th century, giving rise to a third kind of peony known as an intersectional peony.
One last thing about herbaceous peonies. Additionally, only few herbaceous peonies are indigenous to Japan.
What makes peonies so unique?
A traditional garden flower is the peony. Growing contentedly for decades with little effort needed. Discover some interesting trivia about these lovely, aromatic, traditional flowers as well as what’s new in the peony world!
Fun Facts About Peonies:
- A peony stands for honor and fortune. Additionally, they represent romance and love and are thought to portend good fortune and a long and happy marriage.
- They are the flower for the 12th wedding anniversary.
- You will cherish a peony for a very long time. Peony plants have a 100-year lifespan and can still bloom.
- In Toronto, peonies bloom from late May to early June.
- Asia, Southern Europe, and Western North America are the native home of the peony.
- The Greek deity of health and healing Asclepius’ pupil Paeon (sometimes written Paean), is honored by having the peony bear his name. Zeus transformed Paeon into the peony flower to protect him from Asclepius’ wrath after the teacher developed jealousy for his student.
- One of the earliest treatments in traditional Chinese medicine is the white peony. Chinese medicine uses the peonyroot to cure ailments including convulsions.
- Sho yu, which translates to “most beautiful,” is the name given to the peony in Chinese. It is understandable why so many people have been enamored to peony for ages, if not millennia, according to tales.
The Itoh Peony was discussed in further detail by Frankie on Breakfast Television on May 26.
Itoh Peony collection
The Itoh Peonies, also known as intersectional hybrids, are a favorite among people who appreciate the vivid and exotic flowers of tree peonies yet favor the perennial growth cycle of herbaceous peonies. With their huge, double flowers, disease-resistant lacy, dark green leaves, and robust, domed growth habit, they frequently resemble tree peonies. Gardeners can enjoy the attractive bush for the rest of the growing season after the flowering cycle. Due to their capacity to develop main and secondary buds, Itoh Peonies enjoy an extended blooming period once established, with as many as 50 blooms in a single season. They work well in bouquets with cut flowers. They will develop as they become older, reaching a height and width of three feet.
These valued beauties are in high demand and are known by the name Toichi Itoh in honor of the first person to successfully cross a tree peony with a herbaceous peony in the 1940s. Itohs were historically difficult to grow, making them rare and fairly expensive. But everything has changed. Now available in Monrovia are these gorgeous peonies!
Where can one find peonies?
Some people are surprised to hear that peony flowers thrive in locations with cold winters because they are so stunning and exotic appearing. Since they believed it could be too cold to grow a peony where they have a cold or snowy winter, their ears perk up when I say that they also grow in Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Siberia. They quickly pay attention when they learn that Minnesota is home to several peony farms and growers since they are aware of (or have read about) how harsh the winters can be there. They grin at the thought that they can also grow peonies. In the Northeastern, Midwest, and Northwest of the United States, peonies flourish.
It is recommended to have at least 480 hours of winter chill when growing peony (hours below 45).
In parts of the southern U.S. with milder winters, peony plants may not experience enough root hibernation to produce spring blossoms; alternatively, the climate may be too humid. But there are several places in that same region that do receive enough winter chill to grow peony. Numerous locations in the southern states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and others have enough winter chill hours to support peony cultivation.
Consult local gardeners, your neighborhood nursery, or one of the online winter chill maps or calculators to see whether peony will flourish in your warmer location.
I came across a website for the Midwestern Regional Climate Center with details on winter chill. Their Vegetation Impact Program offers “winter chilling hours” maps of the United States, which are a goldmine of knowledge for plant farmers of all kinds.
The University of California, Davis makes available chill calculators for all counties in California for gardeners. With so many distinct regions with favorable peony growth circumstances, the state’s variety is astounding.
It can be surprising to hear that your area has chilly enough temperatures to support the growth of peony if you were under the impression that you couldn’t. You might be able to grow these “strange” flowers in your yard with a little bit of research.