Paeonia anomala aka Anomalous Peony

Paeonia anomala is also called the anomalous peony. It belongs to Paeoniaceae, the peony family. This perennial comes from temperate parts of Europe and Asia. Kew gives its native range as northeastern European Russia to Siberia and Xinjiang. Plants For A Future gives a wider range. It includes Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China. Wild plants grow in conifer woods and clearings. They also grow at woodland edges and on rocky slopes among shrubs. Steppe grassland is another place where they grow.

This peony grows about 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) tall and wide. It blooms in May. Each flower has both male and female parts. Insects carry pollen between flowers. Plants can also use their own pollen to set seed. It suits woodland edges and sites with light, broken shade. Plants For A Future lists it as a plant grown for show. Once settled, plants can live for at least 50 years. Think about where to place the roots before planting.

Grow it in sun or light shade, in moist soil. Deep, rich soil gives the best results. It accepts sand, loam and clay, even heavy clay. Sandy soil can lead to more leaves but fewer flowers. Plants take more time to settle into clay. Yet they may bloom better there. It accepts soil that is mildly acid. It prefers neutral soil or soil that is slightly alkaline. It also copes with lime. Avoid soil that stays too wet or gets too dry. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 4–8. It gives cold tolerance to at least −25°C.

For best results, sow fresh seed in a cold frame once ripe. Roots may form within about six weeks. Shoots then come up in spring. Stored seed takes longer: 18 months or more. Take care when you handle seedlings, as young roots dislike disturbance. Some growers keep seedlings in pots for two growing seasons. This gives roots more time to grow before the move. The evidence gives no pest or disease account for this species.

Plants For A Future records limited food use for this species. It lists leaves, roots and shoots as parts people can eat. It describes drying roots, then cooking them with protein foods. It also describes cooking young shoots. People have used the root as medicine in the past. The source lists no known hazards. But it gives no specific check of safety for pets. This does not prove that every use or way of preparing it is safe.