Paeonia suffruticosa Zhu Guang Mo Run - Tree peony

Paeonia × suffruticosa 'Zhu Guang Mo Run', sold under the name Deep Fire, is a Chinese moutan peony, i.e. a tree peony. In spring, it bears large, double carmine-red flowers that are slightly crumpled. In winter, the plant retains short brown stems, then in spring it is clothed with large, divided leaves. Plant it near a path, in front of a light-coloured wall, or at the front of a large shrub border.

This peony belongs to the Paeoniaceae family. It is part of the group of Chinese tree peonies, cultivated for centuries under the name mudan, which we have translated as moutan peony, tree peony or shrub peony. Paeonia × suffruticosa refers to a woody hybrid whose botanical origin is linked to Paeonia jishanensis × Paeonia rockii. Its native range is in temperate China, particularly in Henan. There, the plant grows in regions with cold winters and distinct springs.

'Zhu Guang Mo Run' belongs to the Chinese central plains cultivars, also known as the Zhongyuan group. It is a woody, deciduous perennial: the branches persist in winter, while the leaves fall in autumn and regrow in spring. The plant forms an upright, branched bush from a short base, reaching 1.20 to 1.50m in height when planted in open ground. Its spread eventually reaches 1 to 1.30m. Growth starts slowly, as the thick roots establish themselves deeply before the top growth takes off. Flowering occurs in April-May in gardens with a medium climate and more towards May-June in colder regions. The flowers are large, double, 15cm or more across on a well-established mature specimen. The outer petals are broad, flat, glossy and carmine-red. The inner petals are shorter, tighter, crumpled, and purplish-red to dark red. The flower shape resembles a very double rose, with a more crumpled centre reminiscent of some chrysanthemum flowers. They are lightly fragrant. 
Its Chinese name evokes a luminous pearl and a deep ink, two images that well describe the dark satin of the petals. The foliage consists of large green leaves, divided into oval to lobed leaflets, decorative even outside the flowering period. The short, brown-grey branches are not cut back like a herbaceous peony. The large, round, black seeds, when they form, take several years to germinate and do not faithfully reproduce the cultivar.

Plant this moutan peony in the garden and do not disturb it. Give it morning sun and some afternoon shade in warm regions. Very robust once established, its roots need space. Behind it, you can place a white 'Grefsheim' spiraea, a Cotinus coggygria 'Young Lady' and a Mexican orange blossom, for example. To surround it, plant at a good distance white Chinese peonies such as 'Immaculée' or 'Boule de Neige', which flower a little later.