The best varieties of tree peonies with descriptions and photos
Two hundred years before the beginning of our era, luxurious peonies were admired by members of the Chinese imperial family and their courtiers. The best varieties of tree peonies that today adorn squares, parks and botanical gardens are distant descendants of plants from the Middle Kingdom, as well as hybrids obtained artificially and as a result of cross-pollination in natural conditions.
Classification of varieties of tree peonies
For two thousand years, tree peonies have become even more magnificent, brighter and more graceful. At the disposal of modern florists there are about 1000 varieties with corollas of different shapes and shades. Most of them are varieties of Chinese origin, resulting from the work of breeders:
- north of Central China;
- southeastern provinces of the country;
- coastal areas of the Yangtze River;
- northwestern regions of the PRC.
Based on this vast group and perennial species, the best varieties of tree peonies from Europe, the USA and Japan have been bred. Thanks to the efforts of many enthusiasts, the world collection of peonies has been replenished with specimens with original flowers of lilac, yellow, green shades.
Hu Lan tree peony (Hubei blue) - classic cultivar from Hubei province
In the gardens, you can see spectacular plants with variegated petals and corollas reminiscent of pompons, chrysanthemums or lotuses.
When obtaining unique varieties, flower growers of the New and Old World, like their Chinese colleagues, prefer terry tree-like peonies with the largest, dense corollas. These varieties are incredibly effective and are incredibly loved by flower growers. However, there are other peonies as well.
Japanese tree peony
Breeders from the Land of the Rising Sun, following traditional concepts of beauty, have created a whole group of Japanese tree peonies with non-double and semi-double flowers. These varieties amaze with their elegance, lightness, exquisite shapes and a variety of colors.
Varieties of white tree peonies
White is considered a symbol of purity, freshness and solemnity. It is not surprising that to see the flowering of snow-white peonies in your garden is the cherished desire of every fan of these plants. However, due to the natural characteristics of the culture, it is almost impossible to achieve absolute whiteness of the corollas.
The core of white peonies with a crown of stamens has a golden yellow color, and pink or purple-crimson strokes remain at the base of the petals.
Tree Peony Xue Ta (Snow Tower)
And yet white tree peonies exist. The popular Chinese variety Xue Ta, Snow Tower, or Snow Pagoda is a great example. This is a perennial shrub that blooms for the first time at the age of 5–7 and reaches a height of 150 cm by the age of 10.
The mid-flowering plant is easily recognizable by its double flowers that resemble garden roses or anemones. The petals, white at the edges, have a noticeable pinkish or peach shade at the base. Thanks to the rather stiff stems, even fully open corollas up to 16 cm in diameter do not fall and adorn a lush green bush for several days.
Tree Peony White Jade
Another variety that has attracted the attention of flower growers from time immemorial is the tree-like peony White jade depicted in the photo with snow-white semi-double flowers and a golden crown of their numerous stamens.
The ancient variety, called Yu Ban Bai in China, is considered one of the whitest. However, he won love not only with a unique shade of flowers.The lotus-like flowers reach 17 cm in diameter. They are clearly visible against the background of the dark green carved foliage. Due to the hard peduncles, peonies look great in a bouquet. Their light, sweet aroma subtly creates the mood of spring and joy.
Treelike peony variety White Phoenix
The best varieties of tree peonies include White Phoenix or Feng Dan Bai. A plant with white or slightly pinkish flowers of a simple form is distinguished by a high growth rate and rapid maturation. Large corollas with silky petals open above the foliage before buds appear on other varieties of peony. Therefore, the variety is appreciated not only for its decorative qualities, but also as an excellent rootstock for other varieties.
Peony tree Scent Lily
The previous variety, upon first acquaintance, can be easily confused with a tree-like peony. The smell of a lily, the characteristics of the variety and the appearance of which are very close.
A tall, large plant with white, fragrant flowers will brighten any landscape. Decorative cores in golden and crimson tones give the semi-double rims a special charm and volume.
Red varieties of tree peonies
The most spectacular varieties of tree peonies from around the world will help to decorate the garden with ardent crimson-red shades.
Tree peony coral altar
On the petals of the tree-like peony Coral Altar or Shan hu tai, as the name of the variety sounds in Chinese, pink, scarlet, coral-orange shades shimmer exquisitely. At the edges, the tones brighten noticeably, and towards the base they become as saturated as possible, almost burgundy.
Serrated petals, crimped in the center, are collected in terry corollas up to 15–20 cm in diameter. Peonies are held above the foliage by thin rigid stems. Large flowers with a slight sweetish aroma and relatively small. Bushes up to 150 cm in height make the variety very attractive for landscaping personal plots.
Shima Nishiki terry tree peony variety
One of the first places in the popularity rating of red peonies is occupied by varieties of Japanese selection. Local enthusiasts offer both solid and incredible two-tone varieties.
Thanks to a spontaneous mutation, noticed by botanists on the bushes of the red treelike peony Taiyo, in 1974 the stunning and iconic Shima Nishiki was born. It is easy to recognize by its variegated petals, combining stripes and strokes of rich red and delicate, almost white color.
Spectacular Dao Jin Peony Flower
The beauty of the Japanese peony has served to spread it beyond the Land of the Rising Sun. The Chinese counterpart was named Dao Jin. A plant with giant, magical 25-centimeter semi-double flowers will be a shining star of any garden.
Tree-like peony Hinode Sekai (Japan)
For small areas where there is no room for large one and a half meter shrubs, the magnificent Hinode Sekai, or World of the Rising Sun, is suitable. This is a natural dwarf of Japanese breeding. It reaches a height of 90–120 cm. Decorated with simple bright red or semi-double flowers without a scent.
Purple, violet, lilac varieties of tree peonies
Florists are often faced with an offer to buy peonies of purple, blue or blue color. In order not to be disappointed after such a purchase, it is important to know that the petals of peonies cannot be painted in tones of heavenly blue.
Only with complete dissolution, light lilac, purple, bluish shades appear on the flowers.
Peony deep blue sea
An example is the tree-like peony known to Russian flower growers, the Deep Blue Sea of an average flowering period. Carved shrubs can hold up to 50 large semi-double flowers with a yellow center and purple-red petals. When flowering, lasting up to two weeks, ends, the plants do not lose their decorative effect. The green, multiple dissected leaves remain fresh until the frost.
Anyone who is not indifferent to the flowers of a thick purple hue will be interested in the description of the Imperial Crown tree-like peony variety.
Peony Guan Qun Fang (Imperial crown)
At home, in China, and around the world, the plant with deep purple flowers resembling a tall crown is known as Guan Qun Fang. Spectacular, brocade-like corollas are clearly visible against the background of bright green foliage. Flowering takes place in the first half of summer, lasts from 10 to 14 days. If the Imperial Crown tree peony plant is provided with winter shelter and proper summer care, the peony blooms profusely and regularly, while the flowers do not fade for a long time and are excellent for cutting.
Roca peony (Paeonia rockii) Purple ocean
The classic Chinese varieties of peonies have not lost their appeal today. At the beginning of the last century, unpretentious, but absolutely luxurious shrubs of the tree-like peony Purple Ocean appeared in European gardens. The variety, which belongs to the Paeonia rockii variety, has also been liked in Russia. This is a welcome gift for every fan of peonies, but not everyone succeeds in finding a seedling.
The Purple Ocean peony stands out for its large flowers up to 16 cm in diameter and up to 13 cm in height. The petals of dark purple tones are decorated with thin white or pink strokes extending from the base of the corolla to the edges.
Peony blossoms, called Zi Hai Yin Bo in China, begins in the last days of May and ends by mid-June.
Interestingly, on young plants of the imperial crown peony, the flowers are often lotus-shaped. As it grows up, the bush is covered with dense double corollas.
The flowers emanate a sweet aroma with notes of fruits and spices. This makes the variety one of the most fragrant. Shrubs of purple treelike peony up to one and a half meters high are very hardy. With minimal cover they overwinter in central Russia.
Pink tree peonies
Delicate, bright, exciting and passionate peonies with pink flowers of different shades are the basis of any collection of these amazing plants.
Blooming Peony Blue Sapphire (Lan bao shi)
The tree-like peony Blue Sapphire shown in the photo is recognized as one of the best blue varieties. At the same time, the petals of large, simple-shaped flowers have a pale pink color, and azure highlights on them appear only towards the end of flowering. Plants grow rapidly and bloom profusely, by mid-June, covered with dozens of fragrant corollas with a diameter of 15 to 25 cm.
Sister Kiao's tree peony
The peony of Sister Qiao, shown in the photo, is especially loved by flower growers in China. Shrubs up to 130 cm high in June are covered with unusual flowers, on the petals of which there are soft pink, almost white and crimson tones. Thanks to its unique feature, one shrub can create a striking accent in any corner of the garden.
The origin of the variety is unknown, but it is invariably associated with the folk legend of the brave beauties. When a black dragon attacked a small village, only the Kiao sisters were not afraid to go out to battle with the monster. For nine days and nights, hiding under a mat in a rice field, they watched the villain. Then they killed the dragon that sat on the crops. Unfortunately, the sisters died in battle. The peasants buried them, and a year later a peony bush with recognizable two-color corollas appeared on the grave.
Tree peony Fen he piao jiang
Undemanding to care and soil, effective and reliable variety. Such epithets can be heard in the address of the tree-like peony Pink River. Early flowering plants are characterized by rapid growth and abundant flowering. In early June, the shrubs of one and a half meters in height are covered with flowers that resemble magnificent pink lotuses.
In the description of the tree-like peony Pink River, there is the Chinese name Fen he piao jiang and another translation into Russian - Pink powder. Both the first and second names emphasize the splendor of the flowering of the decorative perennial.
Peony Lantian Jay
Lovers of lush double flowers will be fascinated by the tree-like peony Lantian Jay or Lan tian yu, as the plant is called in the PRC. In early summer, the plant, up to 120 cm high, is covered with fragrant flowers of an exquisite mauve shade.
It was this unique tone that gave the variety its name, better known to Russian flower growers - the tree-like peony Blue Doe. The serrated petals are intricately crimped and gathered into a kind of dense pompom. In the lower part of the corolla, the petals are much wider, which gives the plant a resemblance to a close relative, the herbaceous peony.
The photo above is Lantian Jay peony. This kind of classic Chinese variety of a dwarf form acquired when grown in Japan.
Peony Pink Zhao (Zhao fen)
Large pink crown-shaped flowers are a characteristic feature of the tree-like peony Pink Zhao. Corollas of delicate colors reach 18 cm in diameter and 8 cm in height. Due to the severity of the flowers, even strong stems are slightly inclined, giving the bush a drooping appearance.
Zhao fen is one of the oldest cultivated varieties. The peony blooms in early June, filling the garden with a wondrous fragrance of lush corollas.
Peony Twin Beauty
The tree-like peony Gemini, in the photo, is sometimes referred to as Two Beauties, Twin Beauty or Zi er qiao. The terry flower of this variety is characterized by the shape of a park rose and colors in carmine, red or crimson tones. The rim diameter is 14 cm, the height is 6 cm. At the stage of complete dissolution, a yellow core is noticeable. The narrow carved leaves, although they do not acquire brightness in autumn, are very decorative. The garden also grows tuberous perennial peonies.
Varieties of yellow tree peony
It was possible to obtain varieties of tree peony with yellow, orange, pinkish-peach flowers thanks to interspecific crossing.
Kinko, or Jin Huang, as it is called in China, is a popular yellow tree-like peony. From a photo of a peony, it is easy to appreciate the charm and freshness of flowers.
The European name for the plant, Alice Harding, received the peony in 1935 from its creator Victor Lemoine from France. Flowers of a lemon-yellow tone were obtained by crossing the natural yellow tree-like peony P. lutea shown in the photo and the Yaso-okina variety from Japan.
Late flowering, sweet lemon aroma and compact size are characteristic of the Lemoine group. At 10 years old, the height of the bush does not exceed 100 cm.
Peony Green Ball (Lu Mu Ying Yu)
Skillfully using the natural features of the plant, Chinese breeders have created a variety, the flowers of which are first colored in light green tones, and then suddenly turn pinkish green.
This is the tree-like peony Green ball depicted in the photo with dense double flowers, which provided the plant with an unusual name and memorable appearance. In Chinese catalogs, the variety is called Lu Mu Ying Yu, Green Jade, or Green Jade. A bush with a height of 150 to 180 cm in June, during flowering is clearly visible from any corner of the garden.
Tree peony Chan Liu (Spring willow)
A rare but highly demanded variety Chun Liu or Spring Willow. A plant no less spectacular than the Green Ball tree peony. Differs in dense buds with light green or yellowish petals. Closer to the base, they are decorated with crimson specks.
Tree peony sunrise
The tree-like peony Sunrise shown here was created thanks to the efforts of David Reath in the USA. The hybrid plant, obtained from Peony Lutea, annually pleases owners with yellow-pink semi-double flowers with gracefully twisted petals and a crown of yellow stamens at the core.
The tree-like peony Voskhod or Sunrise demonstrates maximum decorativeness in sunny areas. Carmine border on creamy yellow petals emphasizes the splendor of the flower.
Kinkaku tree peony
Among the most popular varieties, the Kinko tree peony occupies one of the most honorable places. The plant, presented in foreign catalogs as the Kinkaku peony, stands out for its orange-yellow double flowers. The light yellow background color of the petals refreshes the soft, like watercolor carmine border, creating a blush effect. The peculiarity of the variety is its heavy flowers, hanging a little on thin stems and massively opening in early June.