Moutan peony

What does Moutan peony look like?

Moutan peony is a deciduous shrub that can reach up to 2 meters tall, with thick, short branches and green to pale green leaves. Its flowers are large and striking, with petals in shades of reddish purple, pink, white, and sometimes yellow in modern hybrids. The blooms appear in spring, typically in May, and are known for their size and variety of forms. The plant stands out among peonies for its woody stems, which allow it to survive winter and live for many years.

Where does Moutan peony come from?

Moutan peony originated in northwest China, especially in the Qinling Mountains and northern Shaanxi. It has been cultivated for over 1,500 years, first for medicinal use and later as an ornamental. The plant is a hybrid group, with parentage from several wild peony species in the subsection Vaginatae. Heze, once called Caozhou, is known as the peony capital of China, famous for its long history of peony growing and many cultivars. The peony spread from China to other countries, where new varieties were bred.

When and how Moutan peony blooms

Tree peonies bloom in spring, with flowers opening in May and seeds ripening in June. They are grown from seeds or by dividing established plants. Seeds are collected when pods split, then kept moist before autumn planting. The shrub prefers fertile, humus-rich soil and dappled sunlight, with minimal pruning needed. In cultivation, care is taken to avoid drying out the seeds, as this can delay sprouting.

How Moutan peony is used

In China, the moutan peony is grown for its beauty in gardens and as a symbol in art and literature. Its root bark, called Mu Dan Pi, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The plant is also associated with honor, wealth, and feminine beauty. Heze holds large peony festivals, and the flower is still widely grown for both ornamental and medicinal purposes.

Kinds of Moutan peony

There are about 600 Chinese tree peony cultivars, with a wide range of flower colors and shapes. French breeders introduced yellow-flowered hybrids by crossing with P. delavayi, creating the Paeonia × lemoinei group. In Japan, Itoh hybrids were developed by crossing tree peonies with herbaceous peonies, resulting in intersectional cultivars with large, long-lasting flowers and wilt resistance.

What Moutan peony means

The moutan peony is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often called the 'king of flowers.' It symbolizes honor, wealth, and feminine beauty, and has appeared in literature and art for centuries. It was once named China's national flower, and debates about its status continue. Overharvesting for medicine has threatened wild populations. Heze is renowned for its peony heritage and festivals.

Where Moutan peony is used and seen

Botanical Garden of the University of ViennaA historic 8-hectare plant collection next to Vienna’s Belvedere gardensGarvan Woodland GardensA lakeside botanical garden with woodland trails in ArkansasPersian gardenA walled garden style from Iran with water channels, trees and geometric design

Traditions that use it

Where to see Moutan peony

🇨🇳 Luoyang · Apr to MayLuoyang peony seasonThe old capital of Luoyang fills its parks with tree peonies every April.

Questions people ask about Moutan peony

Good reading and sources

• Paeonia × lemoinei 'High Noon' (S)Royal Horticultural Society, Article
• USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Paeonia × suffruticosa on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data