Peonies

Peonies with their large blowsy, rose-like, fragrant flowers are among the most romantic plants in the world. There are two forms, tree and herbaceous species. Peter Valder, who has a special interest in Chinese plants, recently looked at herbaceous peonies.

At around a metre tall these plants are smaller than tree peonies (which can grow up to 2-3m or 6-10' high), die down over winter but send up new shoots each spring. They flower from late spring to summer.

The Chinese herbaceous peonies are among the world's oldest garden plants. Chinese boys and girls exchanged them as tokens of affection in about the 6th century BC.

Details

Common name: Peony, peony rose (although they are not related to roses), Chinese peony.

Botanical name: Paeonia lactiflora. The genus name, Paeonia, is derived from Paion, the physician to the gods in Greek mythology and implies praise for something of exceptional quality.

Description: The large flowers are often scented. The flower shapes can resemble camellias, carnations or roses (they have been referred to as 'roses without thorns' and are frequently called peony roses). The foliage is sometimes bronze/maroon tinged in the spring but becomes green as the season progresses.

Likes:

• Slightly alkaline soil (ideal pH is around 7-7.5), well-drained with plenty of added organic matter. Where soils are naturally acid, add dolomite lime at planting.
• Cold winters, mild summers.
• Sheltered position (wind can damage the flower stems and hot sun can scorch flowers).
• Mulch to help protect the fleshy roots. 

Seasonal care:

• Remove spent flowers regularly but allow leaves to die down naturally in the autumn before cutting back in late autumn.
• Divide clump in early autumn when the plant is entering dormancy but the clump can be left undisturbed for many years.

Dislikes:

• Becoming waterlogged during winter.
• Hot, humid climates.
• Excessive cultivation around roots.

Uses:

• Cut flowers.Tip: If you grow these peonies as cut flowers, break off the side buds so that each stem only has one main bud. This will give you larger and more beautiful blooms. Cut the flowers when the bud is still a tightly packed ball and they will open up over the next day and should last for up to one week.
• Late spring flowering garden colour for a cool climate
• Medicinal: The root and bark of several species are used in traditional Chinese medicine. The bark contains a chemical, paeoniflorin, which is supposed to be useful in controlling bleeding, diarrhoea and intestinal diseases, reducing spasms and lowering temperatures. There is even peony flower tea, which is used in Europe as a cough remedy, as well as a treatment for haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
  

Varieties: There are many named varieties of herbaceous peonies in a range of different shapes and colours including:

• 'Bowl of Beauty' - rounded pink petals surrounding a mass of wavy cream-coloured staminoids. Grows to 1m (3') tall.
• 'Bridal Gown' - white petals surrounding a tightly packed centre of an almost cream colour. This is a good cut flower up to 15cm (6") across.
• 'Moonstone' - a double, pale pink flower fading to white. The flowers mature at different times which means a mix of pink or white blooms at any particular time during flowering.
• 'My Pal Rudy' - a fully double fragrant peony with deep rose-pink petals.
• 'White Wings' - single white petals surrounding deep yellow stamens.

Getting started

Divide tubers of existing plantings in autumn or plant tubers when dormant. Set the tuber crowns just below soil surface (2-3cm or around an 1") and take care not to damage the roots or new growth buds.

Further reading

The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies by Martin Page (Florilegium, $39.95). ISBN 0-9586498-7-1.

Availability

Herbaceous peonies are planted in autumn and winter and are available from many nurseries at this time in the cooler parts of the country. Plants are also sold as potted specimens throughout the year (for around $15 for a 20cm or 8" pot). The following nurseries offer a range of herbaceous peonies.

ACT
Pagoda Tree Nursery. Phone: (02) 6247 4567

NSW
Gibbs Nursery, Albury. Phone: (02) 6021 6247
Mount Boyce Nursery, Blackheath. Phone: (02) 4787 8339

SA
Blows Bros Nursery, Stirling. Phone: (08) 8339 1309

VIC
Dicksonia Rare Plants, Mt Macedon. Phone: (03) 5426 3075
The Greenery, Heidelberg. Phone: (03) 9458 8433
Tesselaar Bulbs and Flowers, Silvan. Phone: (03) 9737 9811
Trenton Cottage, Whittington. Phone: (03) 5248 1458
Wishing Well Nursery, Monbulk. Phone: (03) 9756 6107

TAS
Allan's Nursery. Phone: (03) 6343 1800
New Town Station Nursery, New Town. Phone: (03) 6228 7705
Riverview Nursery, Devonport. Phone: (03) 6424 5847

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