The history, culture, botany and beauty of the beloved peony.

People have always loved flowers, and peonies are among the most highly regarded, with petals of the finest silk and often a distinctive perfume. Their large, flamboyantly coloured blooms are attractive and photogenic, ideal for celebrations. Beyond the flowers, the colourful new shoots, described by landscape gardener Gertrude Jekyll as ‘dear rosy snouts’, add value and interest to any garden. Peonies appear in the art and literature of China, Korea, Japan, the classical Mediterranean and medieval Europe. Charles Darwin, as a child, was sent to count the peonies in his family garden, his first exercise in scientific data collection. Superbly illustrated, and covering cultural as well as botanical aspects, this book is an ideal companion for plant lovers wanting to learn more about this fascinating flower.