Paeonia lactiflora, 'Cao Zhou Red' Chinese herbaceous peony

Name in Chinese: Cao Zhou Hong 曹州紅

Notable characteristics: This herbaceous peony is distinguished by its very long stems. Double form, reddish purple flowers are fragrant and freely produced. Requires staking in the landscape. Excellent for cut flowers.

This peony is named for the city of Caozhou ( pronounced CHOW-zou) and is the historic name for modern day Heze in Shandong, China. For several hundred years it has been a major center of peony breeding and propagation.

Cultivar group, hybridizer and year introduced: Lactiflora, a classical cultivar from the peony growing center of Heze in Shandong province.

Growth habit and size at maturity: Very tall growing, to 4' tall and and 2.5' wide. Needs staking.

Flower form and size: 5-6" double form blossoms.

Flower fragrance: Very sweet and spicy.

Bloom time: Mid-season herbaceous peony, blooms in our USDA zone 6a garden in the last week of May to early June.

Zone hardiness: Proven in USDA zones 3-8.

Plant size: 4-5 eye plant with a proportional root system. 

When we ship: FALL 2025.