Paeonia rockii, 'Black Swan' Chinese rockii tree peony

Name in pin yin: 黑天鵝 Hei Tian E

Notable characteristics: Deep, red-black blossoms with a deep fragrance. Blooms well at an early age, though flowers will first appear in a light semi-double form before blossoming in a full double form. 

Hybridizer: Chen Dezhong of the Peace Peony Garden in Lanzhou, Gansu province, China between 1986 and 1992.

Growth habit and size at maturity (10 years old): Upright, flowers held well above the foliage. Grows to 5' tall and 5' wide.

Flower form and size: Double, 8-10". Will bloom in the lotus form when young.

Flower fragrance: Intense, spicy-sweet.

Bloom time: Mid-season rockii, blooms in our USDA zone 6a garden in the last week of May and first week of June.

Zone hardiness: Proven in USDA zones 4-9. P. rockii cultivars are particularly drought resistant once established. We have had reports from gardeners in Texas that this variety has grown and bloomed well during the last two years of extreme drought and heat.

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.

When we ship: FALL 2024.