Peony, << PEE uh nee, >> is the common name of a group of plants with large, handsome flowers. In early spring, peonies have shrubby or herblike stems. The clusters of leafy shoots, red and shiny green in appearance, make a striking effect a few weeks before the flowers appear in late spring or early summer.
Many of the cultivated varieties of peonies common in America are the offspring of two species of the Eastern Hemisphere, the common peony of southern Europe and the Chinese peony. The large flowers of the common peony are white, red, or crimson and are lovely to look at, although they do not have much fragrance. Many of the Chinese peonies, a large group of hybrids, bear double, sweet-scented blossoms. The peonies with woody stems are called tree or moutan peonies. This kind of peony is a native of western China. It has showy flowers that blossom in white and rose-colored hues and grow on a stalk from 3 to 4 feet (91 to 120 centimeters) high. Tree peonies grow slowly. In regions of late spring frosts, the buds are often injured. Once established, they bloom season after season. Bush peonies are planted by dividing the shoots.
