Practical
Plants

Paeonia mascula

a perennial member of the Paeonia genus in the family Paeoniaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Paeonia
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is antispasmodic and tonic[6][7][8]. A tea made from the dried crushed petals of various peony species has been used as a cough remedy, and as a treatment for haemorrhoids and varicose veins[5].

Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
N.W. Africa. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Bushy places in meadows and hills[9]. Oak, pine and beech forest, often amongst bracken, or on rocky limestone slopes that are north-facing[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[5]. When sown fresh, the seed produces a root about 6 weeks after sowing with shoots formed in the spring[3]. Stored seed is much slower, it should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame but may take 18 months or more to germinate[3]. The roots are very sensitive to disturbance, so many growers allow the seedlings to remain in their pots for 2 growing seasons before potting them up. This allows a better root system to develop that is more resilient to disturbance[5]. If following this practice, make sure you sow the seed thinly, and give regular liquid feeds in the growing season to ensure the plants are well fed. We usually prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and then grow them on in a cold frame for at least two growing seasons before planting them out when they are in growth in the spring[K]. Division with great care in spring or autumn. Each portion must have a leaf bud. If the lifted root is stood in shade for several hours it becomes less brittle and easier to divide[3]. Divisions that have several buds will usually flower in the second year, but those that only have one or two buds will take a number of years before they have grown sufficiently to flower[5].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a deep rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline[1], doing quite well in sun or light shade[1][3]. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or is too dry[5]. This species is lime tolerant[3]. Plants grown on sandy soils tend to produce more leaves and less flowers, whilst those growing on clay take longer to become established but produce better blooms[5]. The sub-species P. mascula mascula succeeds in dry soils, its roots are subject to slug damage in moist soils[2]. The sub-species P. mascula hellenica. Tzanoudakis. comes into growth early in the year and may require protection from late frosts[2]. Plants are generally hardy to about -15°c[2], though some forms, especially the sub-species P. mascula hellenica, might need frost protection[5]. A very ornamental[1] and long-lived plant, living for 50 years or more in the garden[3]. A polymorphic species, there are at least 5 recognised sub-species[3][5]. This species was cultivated as a medicinal plant in the Middle Ages[5]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[4]. A very greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. A polymorphic species, there are a number of sub-species[2]. Strongly resents root disturbance, taking some time to recover after being divided[1]. Peony species are usually self-fertile, though they will also hybridise with other species if these flower nearby at the same time[5]. Plants take 4 - 5 years to flower from seed[3]. They generally breed true from seed[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  4. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  5. Page. M. The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies. David & Charles. Newton Abbot. 1997-00-00 ISBN 0 7153 0531 X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  6. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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  7. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  9. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

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