Moutan peony

Moutan peony is a woody shrub species of peony native to China where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years and holds great cultural and historical significance it is considered the “king of flowers” in Chinese tradition symbolizing prosperity honor and beauty the plant is renowned for its large showy blossoms which can reach up to twelve inches in diameter and appear in a stunning variety of colors including white pink red purple and yellow with some cultivars even displaying multi-colored or patterned petals.

The flowers are often fragrant adding another layer of appeal to this ornamental plant unlike herbaceous peonies the moutan peony has a woody structure that does not die back to the ground each winter instead its stems remain above ground and slowly thicken over the years forming a small deciduous shrub that can reach four to six feet in height and spread the leaves are deeply lobed and an attractive dark green often turning to golden shades in the autumn moutan.peonies bloom in mid to late spring producing an extraordinary floral display that lasts for one to two weeks depending on the weather and variety they prefer a sunny to partially shaded location with.