What is the Peony a symbol of?

Mudan, tree peony, is a very beautiful plant originating in China. It, the Chinese national flower, was yet another honour to be added to the accolades and honorific titles bestowed on it over the centuries. For example, the names Hua Wang (the King of flowers), Fu Gui Hua (riches and honour flower) and Bai Liang Jin (costly flower over hundreds liang gold) given to tree peony indicate that the flower is the symbol of happiness and good luck. The plant symbolizes the characteristic temperament and cultural features of the Chinese nation, the prosperity of the county, and the diligence of the people.
Shaoyao, herbaceous peony, is known as ¡° the Queen of flowers¡±. It is the ¡°lover¡¯s flower¡± in the ancient China. It symbolizes the goodliness and love between man and woman.

What are the differences between tree peony and herbaceous peony?

Tree peony and herbaceous peony are placed in the same genus, Paeonia, in the family Paeoniaceae. The leaves and flowers are similar, but there are many differences between both sides.
Firstly, tree peony is a shrubby plant with a permanent woody branch structure, while herbaceous peony is a perennial herbaceous plant with new growth each year from ground level.
Secondly, the florescence of herbaceous peony is 2-3 weeks later than tree peony.
Thirdly, the life-span of tree peony is longer than herbaceous peony, while herbaceous peony is better than tree peony in cold-resistance.
Fourthly, the flowers of tree peony are general bigger than herbaceous peony.

What is the temperature range suitable for the Chinese peony to grow?

In the natural environment, the Chinese peony has been growing and blooming in different climatic areas in the world. The temperature range is from ¨C15 0C to 350C( 50F to 950F), and the amount of annual rainfall ranges from 8 to 60 inches. However, the most ideal temperature range is ¨C100C to 300C( 130F to 860F), and the ideal amount of annual rainfall is from 20 to 40 inches. In the cold area, it is necessary to take protections against frostbite in winter. Please remember the Chinese peony is not only hardy, but also has an amazing ability to adapt itself to its environment.

How do you protect your peonies when a severe winter or where a high and cold area?

In general, the Chinese peonies needn¡¯t especial protection in winter. When the temperature dips below ¨C200C(-40F), it is necessary to take protections against frostbite for peonies. There are many ways to protect, such as you can heap a mound around branches of tree peony or above roots of herbaceous peony, or the plant shall be covered with 10-15cm of dried stalks or leaves or with dried stalks or leaves add sheet film. A few varieties of Chinese tree peonies can survive at much lower temperature without winter protection.

In places where it is very hot and humid during the summer, do the Chinese peonies need special attention?

The Chinese peonies prefer cool and dry weather and good drainage. In a lowland and plain area during the summer where accumulated rainwater can cause root rot, it can be fatal.
However, you could provide better drainage by planting it on a gentle slope or in a raised flowerbed. If you could plant your Chinese peonies in partially shady highland site with good drainage and good ventilation, even in places where the heat is intense during the summer, the Chinese peonies are able to bloom for you in the spring.

Is a long period of low temperature required in order to insure blooming?

The Chinese peonies need to go into a given period of dormancy in winter to insure blooming for the next spring . Usually a period of 30-45 days with temperature between 00C to 40C(320F to 400F) would be sufficient for blooming.
In order to bring peony florescence forward, it is necessary to treat the plants with low temperature. Usually after pretreatment of 10 days with temperature 150C(590F), the plants of tree peony need a period of 6 weeks with temperature 40C(39.20F), and the plants of herbaceous peony need only a period of 30 days with temperature 40C(39.20F)for blooming.

How many varieties of tree peonies are there in China?

There are about one thousand varieties of tree peonies in China. The color groups are Yellow, Green, Pink, Blue, Red, Purple, Black and Multi-color. The most famous varieties are Yao Huang (King of tree peony), Wei Hua (Queen of tree peony), Dou Lu (green), Lu Xiang Qiu (green), Er Qiao (multi-colour), Qing Long Wo Mo Chi (black), Guan Shi Mo Yu (black), Ye Guang Bai (white), Bai He Wo Xue (white), Bai Yu (white), Zhao Fen (pink), Lu Fen (pink), Fen Zhong Guan (pink), Luoyang Hong (red), Shou An Hong (red), Huo Lian Jin Dan (red), Shan Hu Tai (red), Zhuang Yuan Hong (red), Ying Luo Bao Zhu (red), Lan Tian Yu (blue), Zi Lan Kui (blue), Ge Jin Zi (purple), Da Zong Zi (purple), Zhao Zi (purple) etc.

How many varieties of herbaceous peonies are there in China?

There are about four hundred varieties of herbaceous peonies in China. The color groups are Yellow, Pink, Blue, Red, Purple, Black and multi-Color. The most famous varieties are Huang Jin Lun (yellow), Qiao Ling (yellow), Feng Yu Luo Jin Chi (yellow), Mo Zi Xiu Qiu (black), Tie Gan Zi (black), Wu Long Tan Hai (black), Xiang Yang Qi Hua (multi-colour), Lian Tai (multi-colour), Yan Zi Dian Yu (multi-colour), Yang Fei Chu Yu (white), Bai Yu Bing (white), Bai Yu Pan (white), Ling Long Yu (white), Zhong Sheng Fen (pink), Fen Pan Cang Zhu (pink), Zhao Yuan Fen (pink), Tao Hua Fei Xue (pink), Yu Cui He Hua (pink), Lan Tian Bi Yu (blue), Da Fu Gui (red), Gao Gan Hong (red), Zhu Sha Pan (red), Da Hong Pao (red), Yin Xian Xiu Hong Pao (red), Zi Feng Chao Yang (purple) etc.

How long does it take for a Chinese tree peony or herbaceous peony to have its first blossom?

Usually, Chinese tree peony bloom at its third or fourth year. Some varieties take longer to bloom. This means if you bought a 3-year-old bare root of tree peony, planted in the fall, it can bloom for you the next spring. Afterwards each year the flowers become better and bigger. Chinese tree peony can live more than a hundred year. A 2-year-old plant of herbaceous peony will bloom on the next spring.

Do the Chinese peonies have fragrance?

Most of varieties of tree peony or herbaceous peony have fragrance. The flower fragrance of peonies is divides into three types: delicate fragrance, moderate fragrance, and dense fragrance. The fragrance of a variety varies possibly as weather conditions and the cultivation environment.

Are there wild tree peonies and herbaceous peonies still in existence today?

The species of tree peony or Mudan, the section of the genus Paeonia all originates in China. So far 9 wild species have been discovered in China. They are Paeonia suffruticosa (Mudan alias Jishan Mudan), P. qiui (Lunye Mudan), P. ostii (Yangshan Mudan), P. rockii (Ziban Mudan), P. szechuanica or P. decomposita (Sichuan Mudan), P.delavayi (Zi Mudan), P. lutea (Huang Mudan), P. potaninii (Xiaye Mudan), P. ludilowii (Dahua Huang Mudan) etc.
The another section of the genus Paeonia, Shaoyao or herbaceous peony, there are 24 species in the world, and 9 species of them are in China. They are Paenia obovata (Cao Shaoyao), P. mairei (Meili Shaoyao, alias Jianban Shaoyao), P. lactiflora (Shaoyao), P. emodi (Duohua Shaoyao), P.sterniana (Baihua Shaoyao), P. veitchii (Chuan Chi Shaoyao), P. sinjiangensis (Xinjiang Shaoyao), P. anomala (Kuaigen Shaoyao), P. wittmanniana (Chuan-E Shaoyao) etc.

What is the best time to plant the Chinese peonies?

Fall is the best time of the year to plant tree peony and herbaceous peony. Bare root peonies when planted in the spring will have difficulty blooming or even surviving. Those that are planted in a pot or in burlap contained in soil can be transplanted into the ground in the spring. Fall planting gives the roots a chance to grow and develop. It takes time for a plant to adjust to its environment.

What kinds of soil do the Chinese peonies like the best?

The Chinese peonies like loamy and loose soil with good drainage. Uncultivated or clay or saline earth and poor drainage are best avoided. The nicer soil for planting in pots is also loose, fertile, well aerated and well-drain. The ideal pH range is 6.5 to 7.5.

Do the Chinese peonies enjoy full sun?

The Chinese peonies can be planted in full sun. Better to plant in dappled shade or part sun, part shade. It requires at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily. In areas where it is very hot in April to May, during the blooming season, the high temperature causes the flowers to wilt and drop fast. In this case, it is better to plant it in a semi-shady area or shading the plants with mat-awning or bamboo-awning.

What is the best fertilizer?

Peonies prefer organic fertilizers. Well-rotted manure, cottonseed meal and bone meal are good choices. Organic fertilizers must be well rotted. Mild plant foods could be used, too.
The application of fertilizer in proper amounts and at the proper times not only facilitates plentiful flowers of large size, bright colours and full flower forms, but also prevents or reduces the differences of some varieties between on-year and off-year flowering and the degeneration of flower forms.

Do the Chinese peonies require a lot of watering?

Chinese peonies consume a great amount of nutrient and also transpire a great deal of water because of their luxuriant branches and leaves and huge flowers, and although they thrive in a dry environment they don¡¯t grow well without water.
It is important that they don¡¯t need too much water. In the rain-belt, watering is usually not necessary. Generally, newly planted seedling should be thoroughly watered, while watering of established plants should be related to the growing environment and individual flower conditions. It must be watered, if there is a long period without rain. Water slowly and gently. Too much moisture is detrimental to the plant.

Can the Chinese peonies be raised in pots? If so, what should be done in order to make it grow and bloom?

Yes, they can be potted in various containers. It requires expertise and very careful cultivation. Most of varieties can pot. The best varieties are dwarf, upright, strong and rich-flowered with many feeding roots.
The potting soil must be loamy and rich. Use clay pots at least 10 inches in diameter with 10 inches depth. Transplant it to larger pots as the plant grows. A pot with the same diameter from top to bottom is a better choice.
The fall is the best time for potting the tree peonies. After digging up a plant leave it out for a day or two to let it become limp for easy handling. Remove damaged branches and some of the branches that are very closely grown together. Cut short the very long roots to fit the depth of the pot. Soak the pot in water thoroughly. Put the plant in and fill the pot with soil not all the way up to the brim, firm the soil and water it well. Do not over water, just keep it moist, not waterlogging in soil. Use organic fertilizers with water twice or thrice a month during its growing season.
Once a week right before blooming and during its blooming period. Afterwards resume the twice to thrice monthly routine.
In places where the winter is severe the pot can be buried in the ground with the plant exposed outside, then cover it or leave it according to the local climatic condition.

Are those better-potted varieties of peony?

The better potted varieties of tree peony are Hu Hong, Da Zong Zi, Zhao Feng, Lan Tian Yu, Bai Yu, Zhu Sha Lei, Shi Ba Hao, Cong Zhong Xiao, Hei Hua Kui, Zhong Sheng Hei, Mei Gui Zi, Ying Ri Hong, Bai He Wo Xue, Zi Lan Kui, Rou Fu Rong, Yu Ji Yan Zhuang, Yin Hong Qiao Dui, Luoyang Hong and Shan Hu Tai etc.
The better potted varieties of herbaceous peony are Da Fu Gui, Xiang Yang Qi Hu, Lian Tai, Fen Yu Nu, Da Hong Pao, Zhu Sha Pan, Qiao Ling, Huo Lian Chi Jin, Tao Hua Fei Xue, Lan Tian Bi Yu, Zi Lian, Tie Gan Zi and Bai Yu Pan etc.