Paeonia officinalis Mollis

Paeonia officinalis Mollis is a form of common peony officially absent or extinct in its natural state, but surviving in enlightened amateur gardens for decades. This pretty garden and rockery perennial forms a clump of modest size, and has deciduous foliage that is particularly ornamental, green tinged with purple. It serves as a backdrop for rather late flowering that takes place in early summer, in the form of beautiful single flowers in the shape of a calyx, of true bright pink without any trace of blue, opening to reveal a bright heart of yellow stamens. This peony thrives in full sun or partial shade, in a limestone, fertile, loose and moist soil. 

Paeonia officinalis is native to central and southern Europe. In parts of Europe this plant is protected, and its collection is prohibited and subject to criminal penalties. Like all peonies, it belongs to the Ranunculaceae family (now Paeoniaceae). There are several subspecies of Paeonia officinalis, including the Mollis form, which is small in size and has very bright pink flowers.

This is a perennial herbaceous plant with fleshy rhizomes, very hardy. Its growth is slow during the first few years, eventually forming a bushy clump about 40-50 cm (16-20in) in all directions. Its stems bear leaves cut into deeply divided leaflets with entire, pointed, lanceolate segments. The slightly satin lamina is often tinged with purple, and grey and pubescent on the underside. The flowering only lasts for a week or two, usually in early June or in July, depending on the climate. The flowers, in the shape of simple cups, solitary, appear at the tips of the stems. They are composed of satiny petals of a true and bright pink, and are centred around a prominent heart composed of dark yellow stamens. This flowering is followed by the formation of fuzzy, grey fruits containing black, round, and smooth seeds, which germinate after exposure to cold.

Peonies are among those plants that form the foundations of a garden. Not so long ago every garden, from the most modest to the most elaborate, proudly displayed clumps of peonies covered in fragrant flowers that made their way into the house, keeping company with purple lilacs and blue campanulas in bouquets. The Mollis peony, considered rare and precious, deserves a carefully chosen location, in full sun or partial shade and in well-drained soil. It can be planted in large borders, at the edge of a grove, or even in a large sheltered rockery away from the scorching sun (avoid west-facing exposures in hot climates). It can be associated with timeless perennials such as columbines, campanulas, foxgloves, carnations, or Christmas roses. Growing it in a pot is not recommended as its needs will not be met. Over time the peony becomes majestic, multiplies, and blooms more and more abundantly.

Properties:

Paeonia officinallis was already prized in the Middle Ages, where it featured in physic gardens. Its root was attributed with antiepileptic, antispasmodic, and narcotic properties. Modern science has demonstrated the presence of specific alkaloids with therapeutic purposes in this plant. It is worth noting that the first horticultural varieties created in the late sixteenth century are still cultivated in our gardens.