Paeonia rockii

'Tree peony'

Location

The Sunken Garden

Description:

This is a beautiful, rare, tree peony from Western China. A very large, deciduous shrub 2.2m (7ft) by 2.2m (7ft) with slightly pendant branches. The leaves are dark green and blue-green beneath. The semi-double flowers are borne in late spring and are cup-shaped, white with deep maroon markings at the base of the petals and creamy-yellow stamens.

Site and Care:

Grow in deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well drained soil in full sun or partial shade, sheltered from drying winds. Propagation by seed or half-ripe side shoot cuttings in summer is extremely difficult.