Paeonia suffruticosa, 'King of Flowers' Japanese tree peony

Name in Japanese & romaji: 花王 Kao

Notable characteristics: Enormous vibrant reddish-purple flowers, held up on strong red stems.

Area of origin, year introduced: 1932 in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Shimane is a famous center for tree peony cultivation located along the south west coast of the Japanese mainland.

Growth habit and size at maturity (10 years old): Upright and semi-spreading, grows to 3.5' tall and 3.5' wide.

Flower form and size: Ruffled double, 8-10".

Flower fragrance: Spicy-sweet.

Bloom time: Mid- to late season Japanese tree peony, blooms in our USDA zone 6a garden in the last week of May.

Zone hardiness: Proven in USDA zones 4-9.

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.