Common Peony
Paeonia officinalis
- Native to:
- Albania, France, Hungary, Italy, NW. Balkan Pen., Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland
Franz Xaver
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Paeoniaceae
- Genus:
- Paeonia
- Species:
- Paeonia officinalis
- USDA Symbol:
- PAOF2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 70 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- red, pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to mountainous regions with calcareous soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist then warm stratification (double dormancy) — 90–180 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit double dormancy requiring warm then cold stratification. Germination can take 1-2 years and is often erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: 20°C x 3 months or longer until a 4 cm radicle appears, then 4°C x 3 months, leaf appears while chilled or in next 20°C cycle