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Paeoniaceae FAMILY

Paeonia mascula

Paeonia mascula

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
1/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitPerennial
Growth—

Requires a deep rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline[1], doing quite well in sun or light shade[1, 2]. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or is too dry[3]. This species is lime tolerant[2]. 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[3]. The sub-species P. mascula mascula succeeds in dry soils, its roots are subject to slug damage in moist soils[4]. The sub-species P. mascula hellenica. Tzanoudakis. comes into growth early in the year and may require protection from late frosts[4]. Plants are generally hardy to about -15°c[4], though some forms, especially the sub-species P. mascula hellenica, might need frost protection[3]. A very ornamental[1] and long-lived plant, living for 50 years or more in the garden[2]. A polymorphic species, there are at least 5 recognised sub-species[2, 3]. This species was cultivated as a medicinal plant in the Middle Ages[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[5]. A very greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. A polymorphic species, there are a number of sub-species[4]. 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[3]. Plants take 4 - 5 years to flower from seed[2]. They generally breed true from seed[1].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[3]. When sown fresh, the seed produces a root about 6 weeks after sowing with shoots formed in the spring[2]. 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[2]. 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[3]. 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[PFAF]. 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[2]. 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[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Paeonia+mascula>

Pollinators

Insects

References

  1. [1]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  3. [3]The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies. — Page. M. · David & Charles. Newton Abbot. · 1997 · ISBN 0 7153 0531 X ↩︎A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
  4. [4]Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2. — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1991 · ISBN 0-330-30936-9 ↩︎Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
  5. [5]Perennial Garden Plants — Thomas. G. S. · J. M. Dent & Sons, London. · 1990 · ISBN 0 460 86048 8 ↩︎A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
  6. [6]Flowers of the Mediterranean. — Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. · Hogarth Press · 1987 · ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 ↩︎A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
  7. [7]A Modern Herbal. — Grieve. · Penguin · 1984 · ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 ↩︎Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
  8. [8]Dictionary of Economic Plants. — Uphof. J. C. Th. · Weinheim · 1959 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
  9. [9]A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. — Usher. G. · Constable · 1974 · ISBN 0094579202 ↩︎Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
  10. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎