This herbaceous perennial has thick tuberous roots and forms a clump. It has divided leaves with dark green pointed oblong leaflets and the deep red to rosy pink cup-shaped flowers appear singularly above the foliage from early to mid summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Paeonia officinalisis naturally found from Europe to central Asia growing in meadows or on the lower mountains in cool sometimes damp positions from sea level to an altitude of 1200 m (3,600 ft).

It prefers a semi-shaded to full sun wind protected position and grows in well-drained sandy clay loams that are organic rich and moist, with a pH 4.5-7.5 and is frost and drought tolerant.

Common Peony is grown from its flowers and shrubby habit. It is planted in small or cottage gardens along herbaceous borders and the flowers are used in floral arrangements. It is suitable coastal and low-mountain regions establishing in 2-3 years and is long-lived. ID 3555

Note:
This perennial was first cultivated as a medicinal herb only later was it grown for ornamental purposes.

Paeonia(pie-ON-ee-a) officinalis(oh-FIK-ee-NAH-lis)

Paeoniaceae(PIE-on-ee-AY-see-ee)