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There are approximately 33 species of peony, many of which
are classified as herbaceous perennials and others as shrubs.
They occupy mountain habitats, mainly grassy slopes, scrublands
and open forest areas. They mostly origate from Europe and
Asia although there are two species native to West North America,
Paeonia brownii, from pine forests and sagebrush in
British Columbia to WY, CA and Nevada and P. californica,
a similar species found only in California.
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They are a very popular genus for the garden
because the flowers are often extremely showy. There are many
cultivars with dramatic double flowers, some of which are
growing in the garden, but our focus has turned to the attractive
Paeonia species, of which we have 7 in ourcollection, including
the very beautiful Paeonia obovata 'Alba' from mountain
scrubs and woods China, Japan and Korea.
Because of the popularity of the genus there
is a society devoted to it called the Peony Society, and numerous
nurseries devoted to just this genus. americanpeonysociety.org
and peonysociety.org.uk
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