SafePlants

Peony (Paeonia)

Peonies, with their lush foliage and showy flowers, are a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements. They are known for their fragrance and long lifespan.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that some peonies have upright stems.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that some peonies have upright stems.

Quirky Facts

• Peonies are a common subject in tattoos, often used along with koi-fish, in Japanese culture.
• The peony is named after Paean, a student of the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius. Zeus turned Paean into a peony to save him from Asclepius's anger.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Paeonia
• Common Names: Peony, Common Peony, Garden Peony, Chinese Peony, European Peony
• Family: Paeoniaceae (Peonies are the only genus in this family)
• Genus: Paeonia
• Species:
  • Paeonia lactiflora (Common garden peony, Chinese peony)
  • Paeonia officinalis (Common peony, Garden peony, European peony)
  • Paeonia suffruticosa (Tree peony)
  • Paeonia brownii (Wild peony)

Distribution and Habitat

• Paeonia officinalis is native to France, Switzerland, and Italy.
• Paeonia lactiflora originates from China.

Morphological Characteristics

• Herbaceous perennials.
• Upright stems, sometimes red-mottled.
• Dark green, elliptic leaves.
• Flowering time is mid-spring to early summer.
• Some varieties are fragrant.
• Can grow to approximately 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
• Some peonies are tree peonies with woody, above-ground stems that persist throughout the year, losing their leaves each autumn.

Ecological Role

• Susceptible to fungal diseases, such as Peony Wilt (Botrytis).

Cultivation

• Planting time is in autumn.
• Peonies do best in sunny sites with well-drained soil.
• They take 3-4 years to become fully established blooming plants.
• There are over 3,000 cultivated varieties of peony.