Paeonia (Paeoniaceae) BWJ7775

delavayi

From seed I collected near Lijiang China on open limestone mountainous areas strewn with rocks. Where this very hardy species formed small shrubs with gnarled woody stems to 1.2m, bearing large leaves emerging with very deeply incised and divided leaflets slowly expanding over the spring. Deep mahogany-red flowers are carried in May, which are followed by large seed capsules which split to reveal their large glossy black seed. Easily cultivated in well drained fertile soil in a sunny position.