Paeonia suffruticosa Jin Ge

The Paeonia suffruticosa 'Jin Ge' is a variety of late-flowering tree peony that is distinguished by its breathtaking and subtly fragrant spring flowering. Its large, tousled flowers display rich shades of yellow, apricot, and orange, enhanced by pink on the edges of the petals and at the heart of the flower. The vigorous and hardy bush thrives in any good garden soil where it will live for many years without requiring much care, after careful installation. An old tree peony plant needs no description, it is simply admired, either in isolation or in the foreground of a shrub bed.

The 'Jin Ge' tree peony is a hybrid of Paeonia delavayi var. lutea, endemic to the undergrowth of southwestern China, less demanding than other tree peonies but also slightly less hardy. It is also a descendant of Paeonia suffruticosa, native to central China. This extraordinary species, cultivated for about 1500 years in China and two centuries in Europe, has given rise to numerous cultivars with single or double flowers, in all colours except true blue. The wild form, very enigmatic, has never been formally identified. In contrast to so-called herbaceous peonies, Paeonia suffruticosa produces a woody framework, one or more small trunks, and sparsely branched knotted branches that persist throughout the year like those of shrubs. Its foliage is deciduous, emerging in spring and falling in autumn, sometimes taking on beautiful hues at the end of the season. All these plants native to the Far East are very cold-resistant. They belong to the Ranunculaceae family.

The 'Jin Ge' peony strongly resembles the famous and wonderful variety 'Souvenir de Maxime Cornu,' obtained in France in 1907 by L. Henry. According to some sources, it is likely that this old French cultivar, whose name is not protected, was thus renamed. Over time, the plant forms a sparsely branched bush with a rounded habit, reaching 1.20 m (4ft), or even 1.40 m (5ft) in all directions under good growing conditions. The short, upright branches bear deeply divided leaves with lanceolate segments, very smooth, strongly veined, reddish at bud burst, quickly becoming bright green, sometimes tinged with purple, decorative outside the flowering period. The flowering takes place over 3 weeks in May-June, at the end of the tree peony season. A 3-year-old plant will produce a single flower in the first year, but 50 after 20 years of cultivation. It begins with very large solitary buds, green and round, appearing from the end of winter at the tips of new shoots and resistant to late frosts. They open into highly double corollas, often pendulous and hidden among the foliage, sometimes borne horizontally, measuring 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10in) in diameter. They are composed of multiple petals with highly undulated edges in shades of yellow to orange, with a vivid pink border and a raspberry pink base. Their light, lemony fragrance is pleasant. Several golden stamens emerge from the petals at the heart of the flower, towards the end of the flowering period.

The bush peony is not a plant for impatient gardeners. It takes its time, but years of patience are rewarded with the fabulous spectacle created by this opulent shrub laden with enormous flowers in spring. In the garden, the 'Jin Ge' peony is best placed slightly elevated to allow for the contemplation of its slightly trailing flowers. For example, place it in a raised bed against a wall, in front of a hedge, or in a large pot placed on the edge of a terrace wall. Always choose a location sheltered from the wind, airy and bright. Its vibrant flowers will be enhanced by those of other white, red, or orange peonies, or by English roses in salmon tones (Grace, Lady of Shalott). This variety also pairs well with other perennials that bloom before or after it, such as bearded irises or bellflowers.