Paeonia veitchii (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late spring to early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 60cm
Eventual Spread: 1m
Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Paeoniaceae
Paeonia veitchii is a large flowered herbaceous perennial with a domed shaped habit. Its mid green leaves are divided into lanceolate leaflets. Its stems are erect and arching. Its pink flowers appear in the leaf axis and terminally and are up to 8cm across. Its fruit is a follicle, each containing up to five seeds. Its roots are tuberous.
Paeonia veitchii Flower (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Paeonia veitchii, commonly known as Veitch’s Peony, is native to the north west China. In its native habitat tit grows in meadows and areas of scrub.
The etymological root of the binomial name Paeonia is named after Paeon, a Greek physician of the gods who, in mythology, was changed into a flower by Pluto. Veitchii is named after the Veitch family, a family of eminent horticulturalists which spanned the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.
The landscape architect may find Paeonia veitchii useful as part of a woodland edge planting scheme in the light dappled shade of trees. It is also suitable for use as part of a herbaceous perennial border.
Ecologically, Paeonia veitchii is attractive to pollinating insects.
Paeonia veitchii Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Paeonia veitchii prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate dry soils.
Paeonia veitchii requires little maintenance. Once planted the roots of this plant should not be disturbed.
