Peony Profile

Peony Rose (herbaceous)

Paeonia
Family: Paeoniaceae
Native to: China, Tibet and Siberia.
Bulb type: Rhizome.
Bloom season & length: Early Summer.
Colours: Pink, rose, red, whites, purple, salmon.

Types of Peonies

The herbaceous or garden perennial peonies, Paeonia lactiflora and its hybrids. For many years, these plants were known as P. chinensis, P. sinensis, or P. albiflora. Plants by any of these names are from this same group. They are classified according to their flower type:

Single: Five or more guard petals with many pollen bearing stamens in the middle. Flowers often stand erect without support.

Double: Fully double flowers in which carpels and stamens are fully changed to petalodes and the guard petals are not distinguished from them. Flowers will droop to the ground without support.

History of Peonies

Peonies, with vibrant colours and winter hardiness were cultivated in China, Siberia and Japan over 2,500 years ago. The first peonies were brought to Australia last century and commercial propagation began in Tasmania in the 1990s.

Grown in Tasmanian, peonies are reliably winter hardy, respond favourably to the sustainable growing environment, develop large showy cut flowers, and are insect and disease free.