What kind of plant is peony? Is it a flower or a tree?

1. Morphological characteristics

Peony is a herbaceous plant of the genus Paeonia in the family Ranunculaceae. It has fleshy tuberous roots growing below its root neck, which are spindle-shaped. Its flowers bloom in May and June. The disk is shallowly cup-shaped, the petals are obovate, white in color, and have 5-13 petals. After years of cultivation, it now comes in a variety of colors including red, pink, purple, yellow, and green, and there are also double-petaled varieties with hundreds of petals.

2. Growth habits

Peony is suitable for growing on hillside grasslands and under forests. It prefers an environment with sufficient sunlight and a warm and dry climate. It has good drought resistance and does not require much water. It is not very demanding on soil, but grows particularly well in sandy soil. They are also relatively cold-resistant and can hibernate on land in winter without worrying about freezing to death.

3. Distribution Area

Peony is widely distributed and can be found in Northeast China, North China, Jiangsu, Shaanxi and southern Gansu. It grows mostly at altitudes of 1,000-2,300 meters, but in the Northeast it only grows at altitudes of 480-700 meters. There are also some in Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Siberia.

4. Maintenance methods

Generally, loose and fertile soil is needed to grow peonies. The potting soil can be prepared with garden soil, river sand and pine needles. Normally, it should be placed in a sunny place to receive sufficient light. In summer, it needs appropriate shade to avoid exposure to strong sunlight. In daily maintenance, do not water too much. Keep the soil in the pot slightly dry and add some fertilizer regularly.