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The peony is a perennial plant native to Europe, Asia and Western North America. Most are herbaceous plants with lobed leaves and large flowers in all different colours, from pink to purple, red, yellow and white. The flowers bloom in late spring or early summer, with a very short blooming period of 7-10 days.According to the American Peony Society, there are six types of peony: Single, Japanese, Anemone, Bomb, Semi-Double and Full Double. There are also an estimated 33 different species, some of the most popular of which are the herbaceous peonies ‘Bowl of Beauty’, ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ the ‘Duchess de Nemours’; and tree peonies ‘Alice Harding’ and ‘Hana-kisoi’.
The scents of the different varieties can vary wildly. Some have very overpowering fragrances whilst others have no scent at all. Peonies are a hardy plant resistant even to deer. However, they are susceptible to blight and rot. You may spot ants on your peonies but don’t worry, they actually help to protect the plant by extracting nectar in exchange for eating the plant’s bud-eating pests.
Peonies love the sun whilst growing, requiring six to hours of solid sunlight each day. They grow better when planted alone, so they don’t have to compete for food and nutrients and require support from stakes due to being top-heavy. Their preference is neutral pH soil which is deep and fertile.
Herbaceous peonies can be planted straight into the ground (if bare-root) or in a pot as a container plant. Herbaceous peonies should be shallowly planted if bare-root and at the soil level if in a container. The best time to grow bare-root plants is autumn, while container plants and tree peonies should be grown in autumn or early spring.
Although they often resemble roses, peonies are different in that they do not require pruning. They are not very thirsty plants. You can water infrequently in spring but make sure to water well in summer, ensuring the plants have excellent drainage.
Peonies have very positive symbolism, representing a happy life. Adventurer Marco Polo described peonies as “roses as big as cabbages”. The petals of peonies are edible and can be used for salads or garnishes. Their often unscented appearance has led to them being a very popular choice for an ornamental plant.
In the ancient past the plant has also been used for cultivation, especially in their native China where they were particularly popular in the Tang, Song and Qing dynasties. They have frequently been seen throughout art through the ages, with one of the earliest depictions being from the 10th century. In Japan, the peony root was used as treatment for convulsions.
The cultivated tree peony is known as 'The King of Flowers' in China, and the herbaceous peony was known as 'The Queen of Herbs' in ancient Greece.
In the 15th century, peonies were introduced in Europe. The first tree peonies were planted in Kew Gardens in the late 18th century and as such, peonies can be seen all round British gardens all year round.
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