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Peony facts for kids

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Peony
PaeoniaSuffruticosa7.jpg
Paeonia Suffruticosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
Division:
Magnoliophyta
Class:
Magnoliopsida
Order:
Saxifragales
Family:
Paeoniaceae
Genus:
Paeonia

The peony (pronounced PEE-uh-nee) is a beautiful flowering plant. It's the only type of plant in its special family called Paeoniaceae. Peonies are originally from places like Asia, southern Europe, and western North America. Did you know the peony is the national flower of China?

Peonies are very popular garden plants. You can find them in many gardens around the world. They are especially loved in places with mild climates.

Growing Peonies

Peonies are known for their large, colorful flowers. They can be found in many shades, like pink, red, white, and yellow. Some peonies are small plants that grow back every year. These are called herbaceous peonies. Other types are like small shrubs or trees.

Peonies as Cut Flowers

Many people love to use peonies as cut flowers. This means they are grown to be picked and put in vases. You often see them in bouquets. They are usually available in late spring and early summer.

There's a special place where peonies grow later in the year. This is in Alaska. Because Alaska has very long hours of sunlight in summer, peonies can grow there when they are finished blooming everywhere else. This means you can enjoy fresh peonies for a longer time!

Images for kids

  • Red lacquer tray with gold engraving, Song Dynasty

    In this gold-engraved lacquerware food tray from the Song dynasty (960–1279), the two long-tailed birds represent longevity, and the peony seen at the top center represents prosperity

  • Wang Qian, Peony

    Peony, by Chinese artist Wang Qian, Yuan dynasty (1271–1368)

  • Yun Shouping, Peonies

    Portrait of a peony by Chinese artist Yun Shouping, 17th century

  • Paeonia-suffruticosa-buds

    Paeonia suffruticosa, buds

  • Paeonia

    young growth of a tree peony

  • Paeonia vetchii feuille

    Paeonia veitchii, leaf

  • Paeonia 2015-04-16 183

    Paeonia tenuifolia, leaves and flower buds

  • Paeonia suffruticosa2

    Paeonia suffruticosa, showing the disk that encloses the carpels

  • Paeonia wittmanniana Fruits BOGA

    Paeonia wittmanniana, ripe follicles with seeds

  • Peony anomil

    Paeonia anomala, seeds

  • Paeonia Claire de Lune1a.UME

    Paeonia ×arendsii 'Claire de Lune', single flowered

  • Paeonia 'Walter Mains'

    Paeonia 'Walter Mains', Japanese flowered

  • BowlOfBeauty1b.UME

    Paeonia lactiflora 'Bowl Of Beauty', anemone flowered

  • Paeonia lactiflora 'James Kelway'

    Paeonia lactiflora 'James Kelway', semi-double flowered

  • Paeonia 'Ruth Clay' 14

    Paeonia 'Ruth Clay', bomb flowered

  • Paeonia Da Fu Gui

    Paeonia lactiflora 'Da Fu Gui', double flowered

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Peony Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.