Paeonia × suffruticosa

Paeonia × suffruticosa is a group of tree peony cultivars that are the result of hybridization with peony species exclusively belonging to the subsection Vaginatae. The common name used in China is mǔdān (Chinese: 牡丹) or Moutan peony. Cultivars of this group have been cultivated in Chinese floriculture for millennia, initially only as a source of traditional Chinese medicine, particularly for the skin of their roots (牡丹皮; mǔdān pí). Already early on, the plant was also cultivated for its ornamental value, and it is highly revered in Chinese culture.

Paeonia × suffruticosa is a perennial deciduous shrub with stems up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in); the branches are short and thick. leaves are usually green, pale green, sometimes white, about 5–11 cm (2.0–4.3 in) long. Flowers have petals of reddish purple, pink to white. Flowering occurs in May; fruiting in June.