Paeonia rockii, 'Snow Lotus on Icy Mountain' Chinese rockii tree peony

Name in Chinese and pin yin: 冰山雪蓮 Bing Shan Xue Lian

Notable characteristics: Large, iridescent white petals vividly contrast with the deep maroon-black flares and golden stamens. Very floriferous variety. Excellent grower, highly recommended. Foliage retains a slight bronzed cast when the plant is in bloom. 

Hybridizer, year introduced: Chen Dezhong of the Peony Peace Garden, Lanzhou, China between 1986-1992.

Growth habit and size at maturity (10 years old): Upright flowers held well above the foliage. Grows to 4' tall and 3' wide.

Flower form and size: Lotus single, 8-10".

Flower fragrance: Spicy-sweet.

Bloom time: Early 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 well 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.