Flower of The Week: Peony

The Peony is a perennial herb in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. It is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, including East Asia, Europe, and western North America. It is a very beautiful garden plant, featuring straight branches and stunning flowers. Peonies also make very popular cut flowers.

All peonies are deciduous perennial herbs or shrubs. However, peonies can be divided into two main types: herbaceous species and woody species. During the winter, the above-ground parts of herbaceous peonies will wither and die back completely, while the thick rhizome remains dormant underground until the spring. In contrast, woody peonies, also known as “moutan”, lose their leaves in the winter but their woody stems remain above the ground.

Origins

The peony has long been a familiar ornamental and cut flower. However, if you wish to see where the peony originated, it is worth visiting China, which has been the cultivation center of peonies since ancient times. In fact, more than 1000 years ago, during the Tang Dynasty, peonies were planted on a large scale in the Royal Garden.

Luoyang, an ancient city of China, is famous for its peony cultivation. Since 1983, the Luoyang Peony Culture Festival has been held every year, during the peony blooming season. It is possible to visit dozens of peony exhibitions, large and small, in the city.

Other great destinations in China for viewing peonies are the Peony Garden, located in Chaozhou, Shandong Province, and the Peony Valley in Zhongjiang, Sichuan Province.

From the Flower of Love to Royal Approval

The peony occupies a very important position in Eastern culture. Since ancient times in China, the peony has been known as the flower of love. For example, The Book of Songs, one of the earliest collections of poetry in China, made reference to peonies: “a man and a woman who love each other express their feelings by giving peonies”.

As Chinese history developed, peonies and the Chinese royal family began to have an increasingly close connection. Royal palaces were filled with brightly colored peony flowers, signifying dignity and majesty and often used to describe the elegance of royal women.

Court Ladies Wearing Flowered Headdresses by Zhou Fang (c. late 8th–early 9th century)

The Heart of Condiments, the Favorite of Artists

In Europe, the cultivation of peonies also has a long history, but they were initially grown for food and medicine. In fact, peony roots are regarded as the best seasoning for barbecued food. In the fourteenth century, William Langland’s famous poem “Piers Plowman” mentioned that both peonies and pepper were regarded as spices.

In 1805, Sir Joseph Banks, a British explorer and naturalist introduced several Chinese peony varieties to the UK, one after the other. This was warmly welcomed by both British horticultural enthusiasts and the aristocratic community.

Many painters were fascinated by peonies, and several great artists painted them, including Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, and more. This led to peonies becoming a favorite of the general public.

Peonies by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (c. 1880)

Vase with peonies and roses by Vincent Van Gogh (1886)

Young Woman with Peonies by Frederic Bazille (1870)

Blair's Favorite

The United States and France also began to cultivate a large number of peonies during the 19th century. Varieties of Paeonia gradually spread from the Royal Botanical Garden to people’s gardens. In 1903, the United States established the American Peony Society.

In the influential American teen drama TV show, Gossip Girl, Charles “Chuck” Bass stood on top of the Empire State Building and readied himself to propose to Blair Waldorf, while holding a bunch of peonies.

Can I Grow Peonies Myself?

It is very easy to grow peonies, because they are already well adapted to the garden environment. However, it can take several years for newly planted peonies to become fully established in your garden. During that time, you should take extra care to maintain your peony plants, by watering, fertilizing, and pruning them.

The stems of herbaceous peonies are soft, so they cannot always support their huge flowers, and their flowers often fall off. Therefore, when planting a peony, it is very important to choose the right support. You should also choose a variety of peony that is suitable for your garden and for the location in which you want to plant it.

Size: 50-70 cm (20-30 inches)

Hardiness: USDA zone 2-9

Sunlight: full sun

Soil: fertile,well-drained, pH 6.0-7.0

Water: no extra watering is needed, unless the weather is very dry

Fertilizer: at least 3 times a year, the timing is critical