For the first time last year, we are able to offer these garden treasures, but they were sold out in no time. This year we have more. The tree peony has been prized and carefully cultivated in the Far East for centuries, and if you've never seen them in bloom, you have a treat in store.

With flowers two to three times as large as regular peonies, the tree peonies also form small "trees", and in most climates don't die down to the ground each winter like their herbaceous cousins. In a mild climate, a tree peony will reach shrub-like size up to about 4-5 feet is several years. In very cold climates, it will attain full height at about only 2-3 feet. But in either case, the form is fine and the plant is handsome throughout the growing season.

But the flowers are the main show. In spring, a mature tree peony will cover itself with magnificent multi-petaled blooms with an elegant sheen. And since they are as big as dinnerplates, you can imagine the magnificent display.

These plants are never inexpensive, but we are particularly excited about the quality of the group we have, direct from China. Unlike the standard peonies which are usually shipped as roots, tree peonies are delivered as growing plants. We have seen them, and they are thick-stemmed, tough large well-branched plants, ready to take off in your garden. The yellows (including orange) are the rarest, so they are priced higher, and always hard to find. Any of our tree peonies will be a wise investment for your garden, creating more and more beauty for you as the years go by.