![]() The two large red stamps which appear on the upper portions of the paintings are the imperial seals of the Emperors Qianlong and Jiaqing. Earlier classical Chinese paintings of tree peonies are less detailed, but more fluid in their representation. This mixing of traditions lends the flower greater dimension, but also gives it a somewhat stilted quality. The style is a unique blend of traditional Chinese and western style botanical illustration. The following watercolor paintings are part of series by Zou Yigui 鄒一桂 (1686–1772), a famed court painter of the Qing Dynasty. This research is a work in progress and any additional information which readers may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. When available, we have tried to give some background information regarding the names of these cultivars. They are truly horti(cultural) artifacts.Įnjoy these beautiful images and the contrast between the artists renditions and the pictures taken in our garden. While a name adds nothing to the beauty of beholding a tree peony in bloom, to those interested, understanding it’s significance lends another layer of enjoyment in cultivating peonies. Moreover, we try to explain the stories behind the names of individual cultivars. We help to continue this great and worthy tradition by selling only true to name varieties. Many varieties of Chinese tree peonies, including those featured in this stamp series have been continuously cultivated for centuries. Also, certain prized colors like yellow are idealized in in these stamps, while in reality the flower is quite paler in color. ![]() Some of the more recently developed varieties make for more vigorous and gratifying garden specimens. While they have been celebrated for hundreds of years for their undeniable beauty we have found some of them fickle and relatively weak growers. In the two decades since, we have test grown most of the classical varieties illustrated in the stamp series. We even used the images from these stamps in our first illustrated catalog in 1993. At the time there were no good English language sources on Chinese tree peonies. When we first began to import tree peonies from China in the late 1980s these stamps were the most definitive reference we could find as a guide for choosing varieties. How some the largest tree peony gardens managed to escape the ravages of ‘class struggle’ and the Red Guards is a fascinating story for another blog post. Just a few short years later Chairman Mao unleashed the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution on the Chinese people and such a celebration of traditional art and culture became impossible. There are 3 common varieties of tree peonies plus one hybrid that combines characteristics from its parent tree peony and the standard herbaceous peony.In 1964 the Chinese post office printed a beautiful set of stamps which showcased some classical varieties of tree peonies. The safest way to prune tree peonies is not to □ Tree Peony Types The other main reason that tree peonies don’t bloom is pruning or flower deadheading done at the wrong time. This is normal so don’t get discouraged…when it does bloom, it will have been worth the wait! You may not see any blooms for 3 or 4 years. One last note, it takes quite a while for tree peonies to get going. I very rarely fertilize my tree peonies, however, if you want to give them an extra boost, top dressing with bone meal or adding some rose fertilizer in the early fall will help the blooms in the spring. If the flowers are drooping, you may want to install a tomato ring or other type of plant support that will help to keep them upright. ![]() Having said all that, I usually just let the flowers go to seed □ Plant Supportįor some plants, providing support for the flowers may be necessary. The energy that would have gone into seed production is then used to establish stronger roots which will produce a healthier plant (and hopefully more blooms next year!) When you do this, cut the flower off at the top of the stem immediately after it is finished blooming to prevent cutting off next year’s blooms and weakening the branch it is growing on. Some gardeners say that removing the flowers when they have finished blooming, is a good idea (unless you want to grow some seeds).
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