Finding Brown's peony a sweet attraction

Abstract

I first encountered Brown’s peony (Paeonia brownie) with its verdant, lavender-tinged leaves and elegantly nodding maroon flowers growing among bitterbrush and bunchgrass on the eastern flank of the Oregon Cascades. My first thought was “What is a plant like you doing in a place like this?” It would be natural to visualize this native wild peony as a centerpiece in a formal Chinese garden complete with a Koi pond. Perhaps my vision was not that misplaced, considering that most peonies are of Eurasian descent. Asians have venerated the cousins of this peony throughout recorded history for their symbolism, floral beauty, and healing power.

Citation

Vance, Nan. 2012. Finding Brown's peony a sweet attraction. Kalmiopsis. 19: 1-6.