History of The Tree Peony

The Tree Peony has been grown in China as a medicinal plant for over 2000 years.

At the time of the Sui Dynasty (AD581-618) cultivated plants in the Imperial Gardens at Xi An were considered so important that Emperor Yang Ti issued a decree giving them his personal protection.

During the following centuries, China prospered and cultivation of new varieties flourished until Empress Ci Xi eventually named the Tree Peony the national flower of China in the nineteenth century.

When the cultural revolution tried to ban ornamental tree peony cultivation they were still grown under the guise of medicinal plants.

Today, the Tree Peony is as popular as ever. Considered the perfect Chinese New Year present it symbolises prosperity, good fortune and love!