Current Developments of the Tree Peony

    Tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) and herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora) were cultivated and used as medicinal plants in China for more than 3,000 years.  In the early days, they were called “Shao Yao,” which means “medicinal herb plant.”  While tree peony was the “Woody Shao Yao,” herbaceous peony was known as “Shao Yao,” which is still used today.

    The tree peony was cultivated as an ornamental plant for hundreds of years before it was named Paeonia suffruticosa.  P. suffruticosa is not a species name, but is a group of tree peony varieties grown in north central China that western travelers could collect during that time.

    We know today that distribution of all tree peony species is within China, and some overlap. The continuous collecting, breeding, and selecting for better varieties over the past 1,600 years has made P. suffruticosa a genetic mixture of many species.

    Tree peonies of the world today can be divided into Chinese cultivars and others.

Chinese Cultivars

    Due to the geological and climatic difference, tree peonies grown in China can be divided into four groups:  north central China, northwestern China, Yangtze River region, and southeastern China.

*      North Central China (also called North China Plain).  This region is recognized as having the longest history of growing tree peonies, in addition to retaining the most varieties.  Luo Yang, Xian, and Heze are all located in this region.  The genetic makeup is from P. jishanensis, P. ostii, P. rockii, and some P. qiui.

*       Northwestern China.   This is China's second largest group.  The genetic makeup is mostly P. rockii.  This group has produced the most new cultivars in the last decade, and more are still coming.

*      Yangtze River Region.  Varieties in this region more easily adapted to the southern climate than did the north central varieties.  The genetic makeup of this group is from P. ostii.

*      Southwestern China.  Similar to the Yangtze River region, cultivars in this group have more characteristics from P. Rockii.  This group is more tolerant of warm moisture due to a shallower root system.

Tree Peony Export to Other Countries

*       Japan.  The Buddhist monk Kong Hai introduced tree peonies to Japan in the 8th century for medicinal purposes.  The ornamental cultivars were not introduced to Japan until the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).  Through the years of selecting and breeding, the tree peony cultivars in Japan have developed characteristics unique to Japan.  The erect flowers are found in semi-double or single form.  As the Japanese placed visual aesthetics above all else, the fragrance of Japanese peonies is usually faint.  They, however, more than make up for this with their large flowers, thin branches, and small elegant leaves.  Because the flowers are large and the branches are thin, many Japanese cultivars require stakes during bloom.  As in China, the Japanese also regard the tree peony as the "king of flowers."  They commonly serve as symbols for social status and prestige.  In fact, they are so cherished that owners often shade their tree peonies with umbrellas to prevent the winds, rains, and most importantly direct sunlight from damaging the flower.  Japan is the first country known to apply such meticulous care for their tree peonies.

Today, Japan has about 300 cultivars of tree peonies, mostly Japanese.  Some are imported, such as Souvenir-de Maxime Cornu (Kinkaku), Alice Harding (Kinko), and L'Esperance from France.  Japan was the first country to import tree peonies from China and then export them to Europe and America.

*       Europe.  The first literature by a European that mentioned tree peonies was Martinus Martini in his Novus Atlas Sinensis of 1655.  Many attempts made to introduce tree peonies to Europe failed.  This was because merchants got the plants from southern China during the Chinese New Year, and those plants were shipped from the north as forcing flowers.  It was not until 1845 that Robert Fortune, an English botanist, traveled to Shanghai and specifically imported 30 varieties of tree peonies.  Using Chinese growing and planting techniques, he was able to establish a collection in Britain.  From there, the tree peony quickly spread to France.  During the 19th century, there was a wave of  tree peony popularity.  Today, France has over 200 cultivars, and Britain has about 110 cultivars.  This group of cultivars is mainly from the "Guangzhou" and "Shanghai" forcing plants.  They are very similar to the cultivars of north central China.  The flowers have full petals that droop slightly and are embedded in the leaves.  The yellow-flowering variety is a cross between the north central China cultivars and P. lutea.

*      America.  The United States of America was the latest country to introduce tree peonies.  There are more than 100 cultivars of America tree peonies, but they are not well known as an ornamental plant.  Most American cultivars can be traced back to P. lutea, P. delavayii, and the Japanese cultivars.  The flowers are smaller in single to double form, but the colors are very attractive.  They typically flower later in the season.  Some of the more popular varieties are from A.P. Saunders and include High Noon, Mystery, Renown, Banquet, and Chinese Dragon.

Tree Peony Species

    All tree peony species are found in China.  The traditional tree peony, P. suffruticosa, is actually a selection of a cross of P. jishanensis from north central China, P. ostii from the east coast, and P. rockii from northwestern China.  These plant species are still growing wild in China.  Others are P. rockii in the Gansu Province area, P. lutea, P. Lodlowii, P.delavayi, and P. potanini from southwestern China.

    While all species of tree peonies can still be found in China today, a serious threat to their survival is posed by the destruction of habitat and the locals collecting roots for medicinal purposes.