'BLACK PEARL' 紫黑红珠 Tree Peony (Paeonia x suffruticosa 'zi hei hong zhu/black pearl')

6NEW FOR FALL 2024. GROWN and IMPORTED directly from HEZE, SHANDONG, CHINA!

紫黑红珠; Zi Hei Hong Zhu; Black Pearl.

The Shandong region of China has been cultivating mudan (tree peonies) for over three thousand years! Champlain Peony Company is pleased to present this lovely 'King of Flowers' from China's ancient peony capital in very limited edition.

Mudan 'Zi Hei Hong Zhu' or 'Black Pearl' sports a plum-purple, semi-double blossom at the terminus of every branch. This 6" to 7" blossom has multiple rows of crepe-like petals that surround a golden center of clustered stamen. Each petal has a darker purple flare that gives the appearance of a dark-eyed poppy. Exquisite and rare.

USDA Zones 4-8 would be very successful zones for this peony. It can tolerate somewhat warmer areas than most other peonies. Where they are grown in Shandong, China is similar to the American interior mid-Atlantic and mid-western regions with cold, dry winters and hot, humid summers. Typical winter low temps are in the teens Fahrenheit with dips into single digits and with summer temps often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It will likely thrive in higher growing zones if attention is paid to afternoon shade and deep mulching to keep the ground cool and moist.

Bare roots are available for shipping in late-fall and winter only. Tree peonies are sold by the branch number and not by the 'eye' as herbaceous and intersectional peonies. Typically, you will find single-branched tree peonies for sale. We pass these 'whips' over and opt for much larger and more mature 3-5 branched stock that you can expect to bloom the first or second year after planting. We were able to find this variety grown out for a few extra years. It's a bit more pricey, but also that much further ahead for your garden! Tree peonies are also excellent choices for container grown specimens on your patios and decks. 

Zones 4-8

We do not ship potted peonies.