Common garden peony (Paeonia lactiflora, Reise Russ. Reich. 3: 286 (1776))

Family: Paeoniaceae

Author: Pall.

Bibliography: Reise Russ. Reich. 3: 286 (1776)

Year: 1776

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Paeonia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Siberia to N. & E. China

Description

The Common garden peony, scientifically known as Paeonia lactiflora, is a revered botanical favorite appreciated for its lush, fragrant blooms and its historical significance in gardens across the world. This enchanting perennial has its origins traced back to southeastern Siberia and expanses of northern and eastern China. Its rich history in horticulture can be referenced as far back as 1776, when Pall. first documented it in the third volume of “Reise Russ. Reich.”

Belonging to the Paeoniaceae family, the Common garden peony thrives in a variety of climates, making it a versatile addition to many garden settings. The plant is celebrated for its large, showy flowers that come in a spectrum of colors ranging from pristine whites and blush pinks to vibrant reds and corals. Each bloom typically features a delightful fragrance, adding not only visual appeal but also a sensory experience to gardens and floral arrangements.

In addition to its aesthetic charm, Paeonia lactiflora is known for its long-lasting foliage, which maintains a lush green presence from spring until the first frost of autumn. The plant generally reaches heights of 2 to 3 feet, with an equal spread, forming dense, bushy clumps that serve as striking focal points in borders, beds, and as standalone specimens.

The Common garden peony has not only captured the hearts of gardeners but has also played a significant role in various cultural traditions, particularly in China where the flower is a symbol of prosperity and honor. In gardening practices, it is revered for its relatively low maintenance requirements, with a preference for well-drained soil and a sunny location to flourish best. Once established, Paeonia lactiflora is quite hardy, with mature plants often requiring little more than seasonal pruning and division every few years.

As a plant with both historical pedigree and consistent popularity, the Common garden peony continues to be a cherished and celebrated addition to gardens worldwide, embodying a perfect blend of beauty, resilience, and cultural richness.

Common Names

Eng: chinese peony, common garden peony, white peony, garden peony, japanese peony
Deu: garten-pfingstrose, chinesische pfingstrose
Dan: silke-pæon
Swe: luktpion
Fra: pivoine de chine
Nno: silkepion
Nob: silkepion
En: Common garden peony, Chinese peony, White peony, Peony, Japanese peony, Garden peony
Be: Півоня малочнакветкавая
Bg: Китайски божур
Ca: Peònia de jardí
Zh: Bai shao, Shao yao, 芍药
Cs: Pivoňka čínská
Da: Silke-pæon
Et: Valgeõieline pojeng
Fi: Kiinanpioni
Fr: Pivoine de Chine
De: Chinesische Pfingstrose, Garten-Pfingstrose
He: אדמונית עשבונית
Ko: Jeogjagyag, 적작약
Lt: Puikusis bijūnas
Nb: Silkepion
Nn: Silkepion
Fa: گل صدتومانی علفی
Pl: Piwonia chińska
Ru: Пион молочноцветковый
Sk: Pivonka čínska
Sv: Luktpion
Zh-tw: 芍藥
Th: แปะเจียก
Zh-hant: 芍藥
Vi: Thược dược Trung Quốc

Synonyms

• Paeonia sinensis (Steud.)
• Paeonia yui (W.P.Fang)
• Paeonia albiflora var. pottsii (D.Don)
• Paeonia officinalis (Thunb.)
• Paeonia reevesiana ((Paxton) Loudon)
• Paeonia albiflora var. pubescens (Nakai)
• Paeonia lactea (Pall.)
• Paeonia albiflora var. spontanea (Makino)
• Paeonia albiflora f. pilifera (Schipcz.)
• Paeonia albiflora var. purpurea (Korsh.)
• Paeonia albiflora f. pilosella (Nakai)
• Paeonia edulis (Salisb.)
• Paeonia edulis var. sinensis (Sims)
• Paeonia albiflora f. nuda (Nakai)
• Paeonia albiflora var. edulis ((Salisb.) Pursh)
• Paeonia albiflora f. hirta (Regel)
• Paeonia albiflora var. humei (Sabine)
• Paeonia humei ((Sabine) E.Vilm.)
• Paeonia fragrans ((Sabine) Redouté)
• Paeonia lactiflora var. hirta ((Regel) Y.C.Chu)
• Paeonia lactiflora var. trichocarpa ((Bunge) Stern)
• Paeonia lactiflora var. villosa (M.S.Yan & K.Sun)
• Paeonia edulis var. reevesiana (Paxton)
• Paeonia albiflora var. trichocarpa (Bunge)
• Paeonia makoya (Marnock)
• Paeonia lactiflora f. pilosella ((Nakai) Kitag.)
• Paeonia whitleyi ((Sabine) Anon.)
• Paeonia lactiflora f. nuda ((Nakai) Kitag.)
• Paeonia albiflora (Pall.)
• Paeonia albiflora var. fragrans (Sabine)
• Paeonia albiflora var. whitleyi (Sabine)

Distribution

• Amur (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Kibin (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2022 by Pascal Boisliveau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Petr Taft (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Eric Sion (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Francesca Favarin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2022 by Jacob Eras (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by simča simona (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by K O (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2019 by Jean-michel Peltier (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Sarah Bosch (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Baptiste M (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2022 by Larry Earl (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by engineer girl and gamer girl (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 29, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Meyer Gerhard (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Васильев Андрей (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Maira Martínez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Gato Land (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Ilaria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by Alberto (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 6, 2022 by Dave Flack (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2022 by VINCENZO DeMARCO (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Syl Syl (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2022 by Syl Syl (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2020 by Nicolato Marilena (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3083486)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:711802-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Paeonia lactiflora Pall.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 4