Paeonia japonica

Flowers and fruit provide a striking appearance for the woodland garden

Specifics
Name: Paeonia japonica

Common name: Japanese woodland peony

Description: P. japonica is an early blooming shade perennial. Bowl-shaped satiny white flowers appear in May. Seed pods split open late in the season to display crimson un-pollinated seed, which acts as a fleshy foil to the plum round dark-blue pollinated fruits.

Habit: Grows up to 20 inches tall and 30 inches wide.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone 5-8.

Propagation: By seed.

In the landscape: Plant in a well-drained soil. Grows well in dappled or full shade. But avoid afternoon sun. Use in a border, woodland garden, as a specimen or in a rock garden.

Attributes: Deer resistant and attractive to honey bees and native bees.

Source: Quackin Grass Nursery, www.quackingrassnursery.com