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Useful Temperate Plants

Paeonia mascula

(L.)Mill.

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:

No Image.

General Information

Paeonia mascula is a

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

89
Title
Flowers of the Mediterranean.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
Publisher
Hogarth Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0-7012-0784-1
Description
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
,
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

N.W. Africa. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitat

Bushy places in meadows and hills[
89
Title
Flowers of the Mediterranean.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A.
Publisher
Hogarth Press
Year
1987
ISBN
0-7012-0784-1
Description
A very readable pocket flora that is well illustrated. Gives some information on plant uses.
]. Oak, pine and beech forest, often amongst bracken, or on rocky limestone slopes that are north-facing[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *
HabitPerennial
Height1.00 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 Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).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 Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).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.
]. The sub-species P. mascula mascula succeeds in dry soils, its roots are subject to slug damage in moist soils[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
]. The sub-species P. mascula hellenica. Tzanoudakis. comes into growth early in the year and may require protection from late frosts[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
].
Plants are generally hardy to about -15°c[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
], though some forms, especially the sub-species P. mascula hellenica, might need frost protection[
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 ornamental[
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]).
] and long-lived plant, living for 50 years or more in the garden[
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.
]. A polymorphic species, there are at least 5 recognised sub-species[
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.
,
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 was cultivated as a medicinal plant in the Middle Ages[
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.
].
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.
A polymorphic species, there are a number of sub-species[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
].
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

None known

Medicinal

The root is antispasmodic and tonic[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
].
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. 2024-12-12. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Paeonia+mascula>

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