Peonies. A collection of peonies taxa representing ornamental traits, taxonomic diversity and Lithuanian cultivars

Peonies (Paeonia L.) are archaic plants. Most peonies are perennial herbaceous plants, less often shrubs. Herbaceous peony species are distributed almost throughout the Holarctic, from Southern Europe to Japan (Central and East Asia, two species in North America, less so in Southern Europe, one species in South Africa), while shrub peony species are found in East Asia. Naturally, peonies grow in grasslands, scrub, and rocky areas. In the wild, peonies are rare, occurring in small, localized populations that are difficult to reproduce. The plants are sensitive to changes in natural conditions and isolated populations in mountainous regions are disappearing rapidly. The peony genus includes about 45 species of flowers that are large, from 10 to 26 cm across, and fragrant. The flowers are divided into 5 forms: single, Japanese, anemone, semi-double and double. Peony leaves are variable in size and shape, two to three times trifoliate and glossy. The individual leaf lobes are obovate-ovate or oval, sometimes narrow and linear. The leaf margins are smooth, toothed, serrated, or cut. The fruit is a glabrous or hairy deciduous fruit. It bears large, up to 10mm long, oval or round, brown or blackish-brown, shiny seeds.

The first cultivation of peonies was pioneered by the Chinese in the 15th century BC, when 30 cultivars of the Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) were known in China, followed by Pliny the Elder's description of the peony in his Natural History in the 1st century AD. In 1753, the common peony (Paeonia officinalis L.) was described scientifically by Karl Linnaeus. The excellent peony was introduced to Europe from Southeast Asia in 1784, and since then peonies have been widely cultivated, spreading especially in the 19th century.

In Lithuania, the first one mentioned is the common peony (P. officinalis L.), but they are confused with the Chinese peony (P. lactiflora Pall.), so it is difficult to specify when, where and which species were cultivated, and they both share the same name. S.B. Jundzil writes that the common peony (P. officinalis L.) is cultivated everywhere in gardens because of the beauty of its flowers but is rarely used medicinally. In his 1834 work, J. Strumila mentions that it is known to all and is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. The peony P. mountan Sm. (syn. Paeonia x suffruticosa Andrews) is mentioned in VU Botanical Garden in Sereikiškės in 1840. Later, in 1978, the first peony cultivar Paeonia lactiflora 'Perrette' was registered in Vingis, but the collection itself only started to be built up in 1992. At present, there are 17 species of peonies and 259 cultivars in the collection of VU Botanical Gardens. Particular attention is paid to the collection, research and conservation of cultivars developed by Lithuanian flower breeders.

Cultivars for the peony collection are selected based on their ornamental qualities. The main selection criteria are flower shape, size and color. The flowers of the cultivars can range from white to deep red, except for blue. Another selection criterion is the color formations of the flowers. These may be small or large dashes or spots.

Modern peony cultivars are distinguished not only by the color range and shape of the flowers but also by the dynamics of flowering. Some cultivars fade completely from the beginning to the end of flowering, or only the ends of the petals fade.

IŠSAMUS KOLEKCIJOS PRISTATYMAS (ATSISIŲSTI)

Paeonia hybrid 'Lemon Chiffon'

Perennial rhizomatous plant.

Medium height about 80 cm and about 1m wide. Stems sturdy leaves dark green, glossy.

Flowers are semi-double, about 19 cm across, light yellow, medium-early, and flowering in the first half of June.

The cultivar was bred in 1981 by Reath, USA. A cross of 'Salmon Dream' x Reath No. F-3 ('Cream Delight' x 'Moonrise').

Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) 'Akron'

Perennial rhizomatous plant.

Medium height of about 1m and a width of about 1,20 m.

Stems sturdy, leaves dark green, glossy.

The flowers are japonese, dark raspberry in color, about 16cm across. The petals are arranged in 2 rows around red-yellow staminodes.

Medium-early flowering in the first half of June.

The cultivar was bred in 1962 by Krekeler, USA.

Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) 'M-lle Jeane Riviere'

Perennial rhizomatous plant.

Medium height of about 0,90 cm and about 1m wide.

Stems sturdy leaves dark green, glossy. Flowers are anemone shape, yellowish-white, about 15cm across.

Medium-early flowering in the first half of June.

The cultivar was bred in 1908 by Rivière, France.

Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.) 'Cornelia Shaylor'

Perennial rhizomatous plant.

A medium shrub about 1m tall and about 1m wide.

Stems sturdy leaves dark green, glossy.

The flowers are (semi-rose) double light pink, full-bodied and about 22 cm across.

Medium-early flowering in the first half of June.

The cultivar was bred in 1917 by Shaylor, USA.