Paeonia emodi

Paeonia emodi, also known as the Himalayan Peony, is a species rare in cultivation, valuable for shaded areas of the garden. This botanical peony is certainly of modest stature but it proves to be vigorous and very floriferous where it thrives. Its bright flowering takes place in spring, in the form of simple and lightly scented flowers, which resemble large white Japanese anemones with a large heart of golden yellow stamens. Often marked with red, shiny and finely cut foliage further enhances the elegance of this wonderful wild plant. Its cultivation, sometimes considered a bit delicate, will be better suited for an experienced gardener. This plant prefers mountainous climates, cool but well-drained soils, and sunny sites without direct sunlight.

Paeonia emodi is a perennial herbaceous plant with red tuberous roots of the Paeoniaceae family, native to the clear forests of the Afghan and northern Pakistani mountains, between 1500 and 3000 metres (4921 and 9842 feet) above sea level. It is therefore a perfectly hardy peony. Sometimes slow to establish, from spring onwards it forms a bushy clump with a slightly languid habit, a little wider than tall, reaching 50 to 75 cm (20 to 30in) in height depending on the growing conditions. Its foliage, deciduous in winter, is composed of finely cut leaves with up to 15 elliptical leaflets, narrow at the base and pointed at the top, green in colour, more or less dark, shiny, often tinged with purple. Flowering takes place in May-June, earlier or later depending on the climate, in the form of axillary flowers measuring 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter, with one to several flowers per stem, which is very rare among peonies. Slightly inclined towards the ground and enclosed in a crown of somewhat feathery leaf bracts, they are composed of 8 to 10 oval and concave white petals surrounding a prominent heart filled with numerous yellow stamens. After pollination by insects, this peony forms hairy, pale yellow fruits containing 3 to 5 round black seeds at maturity.

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundations of a garden. In the past every garden, from the humblest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps of peonies that made their way into the house, keeping lilacs and bluebells company in bouquets. Bright and wild, the Emodi peony thrives in a cool but well-drained bed, away from the heat of the sun, paired with timeless perennials such as columbines, bellflowers, purple foxgloves, blue hostas or Christmas roses. Cultivation in pots is not recommended, as its needs will not be met. Over time the peony becomes majestic, multiplies, and blooms more and more abundantly.

The Emodi Peony is also a highly prized medicinal plant in India and Pakistan. Its species name, emodi, comes from the Latin Emodi Montes, which in ancient times referred to the mountains separating India from the current Himalayan massif. This species has given rise to superb varieties through hybridisation, such as 'White Innocence', an immense, unique peony covered in pure white flowers.