Paeonia officinalis or the Common Peony is a key parent of many of the more spectacular hybrids that now flood the market.
Peonies are robust, herbaceous plants with mid green foliage that is divided into nine leaflets.
It bears lovely cup shaped open flowers in late spring that are generally in shades of pink or red and feature a dense halo of yellow stamen in the centre.
They are frost hardy and really prefer coolish climates including properly cold winters to ensure they flower well.
Excellent for borders and front of shrubberies, these are still found in the wild and make a good addition to most cottage and informal garden designs.