In Chinese, the peony is known as ‘the flower of riches and honour’. It symbolizes love and affection and stands for feminine beauty. Particularly, the red peony is considered the most auspicious and because it helps bring luck and prosperity.

Peony belongs to the family of ‘Paeoniaceae’, with a large number of species. Depending upon the variety, the plant can be an herb or a shrub. The compound leaves have deep lobes and are very glossy and attractive.

Peony is actually famous for its beautiful flowers. These large double flowers contain an attractive fragrance and are available in colours of red, yellow, pink or white. The flowers bloom in early spring and late summer. The fragrant, attractive flowers have made peony a popular garden flower and are used for making flower beds, landscaping and for putting up borders. The roots of peony are used in Japan for treatment of convulsions, while in China they are used to cure liver diseases. Peony is the traditional floral symbol of China.

This perennial plant is found in Europe, China and western America and grows well in fertile and well drained soils with bright sunlight.