Practical
Plants

Paeonia suffruticosa

Moutan

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Paeonia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

Flowers - cooked[19][21][5]. The fallen flower petals are parboiled and sweetened for a teatime delicacy, or cooked in various dishes[8].

Plant part
Flowers

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.

The root and root bark is analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, sedative, styptic and tonic[19][21][3][4][6][12][18]. An extract of the plant has antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, Bacillus dysenteriae, Typhoid bacillus, Paratyphoid bacillus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, E. coli, Haemophilus pertussis and Streptococcus[4][12]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of fevers, boils, menstrual disorders, nosebleeds, ulcers, irritability and gastro-intestinal infections[14]. This remedy should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[14]. The herb acts as a synergist when used with liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp)[12]. 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[16].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Styptic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

The stems are used as firewood[2]. The plant is quite slow growing so could not really be seen as a source of fuel[K].

Product or use
Fuel

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Scrub in mountains[9]. Cliffs at elevations around 300 metres[17].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[16]. When sown fresh, the seed produces a root about 6 weeks after sowing with shoots formed in the spring[10]. 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[10]. 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[16]. 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].

Cultivation

Requires a deep rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline[1], doing quite well in sun or light shade[1]. Prefers a limy soil and a sheltered position[10]. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or is too dry[16]. This species is lime tolerant[10]. 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[16]. Hardy to about -20°c[9], plants do better in the north of Britain than they do in the south and are generally best if given an open northerly aspect[2]. Plants come into growth early in the year and are then subject to damage by late frosts, they are therefore best sited in a position that is shaded from the early morning sun[2]. The branches are brittle and very subject to wind damage, especially when young[10]. There is some confusion over the name of this species, Chinese botanists believing that it was based on a cultivar. They do not recognise this name, instead raising to specific status two of its sub-species as P. rockii (Haw.&Lauener.) Hong.&Li. and P. jishanensis Hong.&W.Z.Zhao (syn P. spontanea (Rehder.) Hong.&W.Z.Zhao.)[11]. Most modern treatments no longer recognise this as a separate species, though some people use the name to house the large number of garden forms of tree peonies that have been developed over the centuries[16]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[7]. It grows best in areas with long hot summers[1] and requires an airy position because it is very subject to fungal attack[2]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[10]. The flowers of some forms of this species are pleasantly scented[15]. Scented forms include 'Flora', 'Fragrans Maxima', 'Kimpai' and 'Kokuho'[15]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[13]. A very greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[20]. The plant does not really need much pruning apart from removing dead or diseased stems. It is, however, very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back to ground level if it requires rejuvenation[10]. 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[16]. Plants take 4 - 5 years to flower from seed[10]. They generally breed true from seed[1]. Cultivated in China as a medicinal plant[11].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

  4. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  10. 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

  11. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩1↩2

  12. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  15. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  16. 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

  17. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  18. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  20. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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