Paeonia ostii, 'Phoenix White' Chinese tree peony

Name in Chinese and pin yin: 鳳丹白 Feng Dan Bai

Notable characteristics: Flowers float like silk on top of the leaves. This is a cultivated variety of the wild species tree peony Paeonia ostii. It is a very versatile garden plant that is adaptable to harsh growing conditions. Planted in shadier areas it will still grow and flower well. Phoenix White has been grown for at least 500 years in central China. The roots of this tree peony are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They possess "yin" qualities and are used in combination with other herbs to treat a range of maladies. Deer resistant. Herbicide, pesticide, and fungicide free. Grown in Connecticut.

Place of origin: Ancient variety from Tongling County in Anhui Province, China.

Growth habit and size at maturity (10 years old): Erect, reaches 5' tall and 4' wide. Very strong and fast growing.

Flower form and size: Single, 8-9". Color will often open as pale pink and change quickly to white.

Flower fragrance: Dense, sweet.

Bloom time: Early season Chinese tree peony, blooms in our USDA zone 6a garden in the second week of May.

Zone hardiness: Proven in USDA zones 5-9.

Plant size:  1 year old grafted tree peonies have 1 woody stem, with offshoot buds, and a graft root. The plant may or may not have some of its own roots already developed. This one may bloom its first spring in the ground, or will wait until the second spring.