Paeonia Delavayi

Hundreds of single, bowl-shaped, yellow-eyed flowers from red to deepest burgundy in time make this shrub an imposing, many-branched deciduous tree, which is well worth waiting for.

Sow at any time, covering with compost or grit half an inch deep. Keep moist in a cold spot outside as peonies are very slow to germinate, sometimes taking up to two years to appear. Do not use artificial heat as this may simply kill them. As a rule they just make an underground root the first year, shoots appearing above ground in year two. Grow on seedlings in 3 pots and finally plant out in good garden soil. Never discard the seed tray until the seedlings appear.