The Chinese peony is a herbaceous perennial. It has erect stems with lobed leaves and very large, scented flowers, which in the wild are white and single. Cultivated plants grow to 1 metre, are full hardy, and can be red, pink or purple and are usually double.
The tree peony found from Western China to Bhutan forms a branched upright shrub to 2 meters with slash cut and lobed leaves. The terminal flowers are very large and slightly fragrant. Common peony is a herbaceous perennial with many erect stems to 75 centimeters. Bipinnate leaves composed of ovate-lanceolate segments and large terminal flowers that are single, fragrant, usually purple-crimson and hermaphroditic.
Peonies prefer cold winters and a deep, rich, moist soil. Plant fresh seeds in autumn or stratify older seed, then plant in spring. You can also divide plants in late autumn or spring, take root cuttings in winter or semi-ripe stem cuttings. Peonies require heavy feeding and their roots resent disturbance. Remove dead wood in spring.
The flowers of P.officinalis are used to scent tea, and the seeds were once used as a spice. According to Wikipedia, in China, the fallen petals of Paeonia lactiflora are parboiled and sweetened as a tea-time delicacy. Peony water, an infusion of peony petals, was used for drinking in the Middle Ages. The petals may be added to salads or to punches and lemonades
Information sourced from The Complete Book of Herbs
Peonies are such beautiful flowers, Tandy. I didn’t know about their other uses. Very interesting. Have a great weekend.
I love any flower that has a culinary use as well 🙂
Did I miss the cupcake post you were talking about?
🙂 Mandy
no! I have to take photos still but the sun hasn’t been shining here 🙂
Well, we certainly have cold winters.. so it follows I can grow peonies quite readily:D They are actually my “new” favorite of flowers.. especially the pink ones.
they are very pretty!
I have 3 peonies in my garden & they wre so beautiful. They were in bloom in April already. I love my shrub!
how lucky!
Peonies are so pretty
they are!
I love peonies. They are the flower of my youth. I just wonder why they are in the herb book?
I’m not sure either why they feature in my herb book!
Very pretty!
they are indeed yummychunklet 🙂
I adore peonies! And ever since trying to make sugar ones, I’ve got a new appreciation for their beauty!
you are very brave indeed to try that 🙂