Peony - Tree - Kamata-fuji

We're not sure what the penalty was for infringing this law, but it can't have been very pleasant. Growing only 4-5' tall, these exceptional Tree Peonies are sub-zero hardy and bloom for a lifetime. A mature plant can have in excess of a hundred flowers and these can be 10" or more across! The flowers range in color from maroon, crimson, scarlet, various shades of pink, to pure white. Japanese tree peonies tend to have less double flowers than their Chinese peers, and the flowers are more open and delicate. This has been variously translated but probably means 'The Emperor Flower'. The Tree Peony Kamata-fuji, 'Paeonia', produces full double dark pink blooms. There are also tree peonies with yellow or purple flowers. There are very few plants that can compete with a tree peony in full bloom. While the tree peony originated in China, it had found its way to Japan by the 8th Century AD. Every garden needs a tree peony. Fortunately for us, tree peonies are now slightly more available. They flower from late April to early May but the flowering season does vary from year to year. The Chinese refer to the tree peony as 'Moutan'. There was a time, many years ago in ancient China, when the only person who could own a tree peony was the Emperor himself. ... additional information