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Useful Temperate Plants

Paeonia japonica

(Makino.)Miyabe.&Takeda.

Paeoniaceae


The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Yama-Shakuyaku

No Image.

General Information

Paeonia japonica is a

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

58
Title
Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Publication
 
Author
Ohwi. G.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution
Year
1965
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitat

Thickets and open deciduous woods in mountains, C. and S. Japan[
58
Title
Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Publication
 
Author
Ohwi. G.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution
Year
1965
ISBN
-
Description
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *
Medicinal Rating *
HabitPerennial
Height0.45 m
PollinatorsInsects
Self-fertileYes

Cultivation Details

Requires a deep rich soil, preferably neutral or slightly alkaline[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
], doing quite well in sun or light shade[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Plants are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but will not survive if the soil becomes waterlogged or is too dry[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
]. This species is lime tolerant[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Plants grown on sandy soils tend to produce more leaves and less flowers, whilst those growing on clay take longer to become established but produce better blooms[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
].
Closely related to P. obovata, this species is not easily cultivated in Britain and tends to be a poor doer here[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Plants offered under this name in British nurseries are often P. suffruticosa 'Japanese'[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Some botanists now treat this plant as no more than a form of P. lactiflora[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
].
A very long-lived plant, specimens can survive in the garden for at least 50 years[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[
233
Title
Perennial Garden Plants
Publication
 
Author
Thomas. G. S.
Publisher
J. M. Dent & Sons, London.
Year
1990
ISBN
0 460 86048 8
Description
A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.
].
A very greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[
54
Title
How to Enjoy your Weeds.
Publication
 
Author
Hatfield. A. W.
Publisher
Frederick Muller Ltd
Year
1977
ISBN
0-584-10141-4
Description
Interesting reading.
].
Strongly resents root disturbance, taking some time to recover after being divided[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
Peony species are usually self-fertile, though they will also hybridise with other species if these flower nearby at the same time[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
].
Plants take 4 - 5 years to flower from seed[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. They generally breed true from seed[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].

Edible Uses

Flowers[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. No further details are given.
Young leaves - cooked[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].
Root - chewed[
177
Title
Plants for Human Consumption.
Publication
 
Author
Kunkel. G.
Publisher
Koeltz Scientific Books
Year
1984
ISBN
3874292169
Description
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].

Medicinal

The root is analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diuretic, febrifuge and sedative[
174
Title
Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Kariyone. T.
Publisher
Nihon Rinshosha; Osaka
Year
1973
ISBN
 
Description
A good Japanese herbal.
].
A tea made from the dried crushed petals of various peony species has been used as a cough remedy, and as a treatment for haemorrhoids and varicose veins[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
]. When sown fresh, the seed produces a root about 6 weeks after sowing with shoots formed in the spring[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Stored seed is much slower, it should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame but may take 18 months or more to germinate[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The roots are very sensitive to disturbance, so many growers allow the seedlings to remain in their pots for 2 growing seasons before potting them up. This allows a better root system to develop that is more resilient to disturbance[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
]. If following this practice, make sure you sow the seed thinly, and give regular liquid feeds in the growing season to ensure the plants are well fed. We usually prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and then grow them on in a cold frame for at least two growing seasons before planting them out when they are in growth in the spring[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Division with great care in spring or autumn. Each portion must have a leaf bud. If the lifted root is stood in shade for several hours it becomes less brittle and easier to divide[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Divisions that have several buds will usually flower in the second year, but those that only have one or two buds will take a number of years before they have grown sufficiently to flower[
250
Title
The Gardener's Guide to Growing Peonies.
Publication
 
Author
Page. M.
Publisher
David & Charles. Newton Abbot.
Year
1997
ISBN
0 7153 0531 X
Description
A nice little book on the genus, giving information on their cultivation and a little info on plant uses.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-30. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Paeonia+japonica>

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