Woodland Paeonia

Paeonia brownii (Western Peony):  Z 6-8 N.A.Native  This woodland Paeonia has great garden potential.  It has exquisite blue gray foliage and a single large flower on a leafy stalk up to two feet tall.  The outside of the flower has greenish sepals with a faintly purple tinge, which surround yellow stamens.  This is a woodland plant that needs spring rain but prefers to go dryer during the summer to put it into dormancy.  Plant in the early spring or fall.  Water it in and let the natural weather patterns take care of the rest. In the wild it grows among pine forests east of the mountains.

Paeonia japonica:  Z 4-9  Japan.  This is a must for the shady woodland garden.  This species will form clumps of gray-green foliage up to three feet tall.  The flowers are pure white with yellow stamens in may.  The blue seeds are carried in a bright red case that remains from summer to fall.

Paeonia obovata:  Z 4-8 China, Japan.  This is a rare species with rounded red-pink blooms. This too has showy seed heads. Great for the woodland garden or shady corner.

Paeonea lutea:  Z 6-9 This is a large Tree Paeonea with yellow flowers, and black seeds.  Plant in sun to shade.