Paeonia obovata (Obovate Peony, cao shao yao (China))


Botanical Information

FamilyPaeoniaceae
GenusPaeonia
Speciesobovata
CategoryPerennials
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginChina, Japan, Korea and Russia.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 8
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone6
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-15
Temperature (°F)-5
Height45 - 90 cm
Spread60 cm
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril, May

Description and Growing Information

LandscapeIn woodland or shade gardens, as a low herbaceous hedge, container plant or specimen.
PropagationBy seed or division.
CultivationGrow under partial shade in moist, well-drained humus-rich soils.
PestsBotyrtis blight and Phytopthora blight.
Notable SpecimensUniversity of British Columbia Botanical Garden, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
HabitatFound in mixed broad-leaved , deciduous broad-leaved, and coniferous forests from 200--2800 m.
Leaf DescriptionBroad, glossy elliptic-oval leaflets along thin yet robust stems. Terminal leaflets are more obovate.
Flower DescriptionSmall, mildly fragrant cupped flowers around 6 cm in diameter.
Fruit DescriptionGlossy ovate seeds in seed pod stalks.
Colour DescriptionVivid green foliage with greenish-red points. Light pastel pink to purple blooms. Green-shelled seed pod stalks with inner red hues. Black glossy seeds within the seed pods. Reddish-green stems and branches.
Texture DescriptionMedium.

Photographs