The World of the Peony (VIII)

Tree peonies from Japan

Tree peony seed was taken from China to Japan by monks. Unlike the Chinese, the Japanese preferred single and semi-double flowers which stand upright and have a beautiful centre. This centre consists of a white, red, purple, black or green female carpel which is surrounded by many golden-yellow male stamens. In the course of centuries, tree peonies have been developed whose flowers are considered the perfection of beauty.

Paeonia suffruticosa 'Renkaku' (Flight of the cranes) is a typical Japanese tree peony. What makes it special is the light pink tint round the centre of the flower. Foto: W. Good

The Japanese cultivars with their large upright flowers were used by Nassos Daphnis in breeding his fine Lutea hybrids.

Herbaceous peonies from Japan

Herbaceous peonies which had been imported from China were also developed in Japan. Japanese herbaceous peonies often show a spherical centre formed by very small, not fully developed petals (staminoids), which are surrounded by a wreath of big petals.

Paeonia lactiflora 'Tamate Boku' is a typical Japanese cultivar of the Lactiflora group. The flower shows a row of large petals that surround a center of golden staminodes. Staminodes are anthers that are not completely changed in petals. Foto: Walter Good

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