Chinese Peony

Paeonia lactiflora, commonly called Chinese or garden peony, is a herbaceous perennial with divided foliage. Cultivated selections vary in flower color, form, fragrance and mature size, while the species itself is native to northern and eastern Asia. ## Flowers and placement The University of Oslo Botanical Garden lists Chinese Peony among the common names for P. lactiflora, and Kew accepts P. lactiflora as the species name. Peonies are valued for their late-spring and early-summer flowers and suit borders and cutting gardens; this species-level description does not imply one flower color or cultivar. [University of Oslo Botanical Garden](https://nhmbgoslo.gardenexplorer.org/taxon-3776.aspx) · [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:711802-1) · [RHS herbaceous peony guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/peony/herbaceous) ## Growing conditions Provide full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. Clay, loam and sandy soils are suitable. Peonies establish slowly and perform best where they can remain undisturbed; water during dry periods, especially while new growth is developing. [RHS Chinese peony profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/92520/paeonia-sinensis/details) ## Maintenance Remove faded flowers as desired, keep healthy foliage until it declines, and cut back dead stems in autumn. [American Peony Society care guide](https://americanpeonysociety.org/learn/about-the-peonies/care/)